Based on the copy of the opening statement of Representative Michael Aglipay for the hearing of the Development Bank of the Philippines Loan Condonation in Favor of the Lopez Group, the said representative apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte for suspending the said hearing.
Rep. Aglipay, the chairperson for the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, explained to President Duterte that the committee suspended the hearing last January 18 to February 11, 2021, because of the documentation needed to proceed with the hearing.
Due to this statement, netizens reacted to Aglipay’s apology via Twitter.
Pia Magalona asked why did Rep. Aglipay apologize. She also noted the lack of apology from government officials to the Filipino people.
Bakit kailangan mag-apologize, mag-explain, kung ito ay nararapat naman gawin??
PERO sa taong bayan, kung anu-ano’ng pinaggagagawa ng mga opisyal na labag sa karapatan namin, hala, sige lang kayo nang sige. https://t.co/gGnmIt3XwR
— Pia Magalona ⁷ (@piamagalona) February 17, 2021
Writer Jerry B. Grácio also reacted to the opening statement. He pointed out the supposed separation of legislative and executive branches of the government.
Kung nag-aakala tayo na independent ang legislature from the executive, nagkakamali tayo. Karamihan sa congressmen natin, garapata ng presidente na tuta ng China. Ang kakapal ng mukha. https://t.co/YgesowODey
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) February 17, 2021
Journalist Nonoy Espina also criticized the lack of separation between the legislative and executive branches of the government.
The principle, once put into practice, becomes separation of powers of the purse. 🥴 https://t.co/L2nBG4XTay
— nonoy espina (@EspinaNonoy) February 17, 2021
This netizen felt disturbed by the widespread patronage of the politics in the government.
ang disturbing ng patronage politics sa atin, hindi siya basta basta sa electorate nakikita kasi hanggang sa loob ng government branches ganito pa rin ang nangyayari. https://t.co/NOxkkGH2XZ
— mr. brightside (@easuguitan) February 17, 2021
This netizen also asked why did the representative apologize for the Pres. Duterte.
Bat kailangan pa mag apologize? Hahaha. Kapag congressman ba dapat automatic tuta ng Presidente. https://t.co/Fkl6FrZcTb
— Maria (@Mariatwitsta) February 17, 2021
These netizens also reacted to the dissipating separation of the legislative and executive branches of government.
https://twitter.com/paengLopez/status/1361906974074556416
Separation of powers left the group. Shame on you, Michael Aglipay! And as always, shame on you, House of Duterte! Enough of claiming to be House of Representatives when you are clearly working for Duterte and not the Filipino people you ought to represent!
Shame on you! https://t.co/JfjpdLLy5I
— Ryan (@rryyyaaaannnn) February 17, 2021
Look at that language and tell me there’s still separation of powers https://t.co/nw3oxcwxO6
— ross tugade (@rosselle) February 17, 2021
Recently, President Duterte expressed his intent in having ABS-CBN and Lopez Companies investigated by Congress. Some criticized it as President Duterte’s vendetta against the network contrary to his camp’s claim in 2020.
