Cayetano, Zubiri clash over resolution on EMBO barangays | ABS-CBN

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Cayetano, Zubiri clash over resolution on EMBO barangays

Cayetano, Zubiri clash over resolution on EMBO barangays

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

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Updated Sep 25, 2024 05:34 PM PHT

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MANILA — Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Miguel Zubiri had a heated exchange shortly before the Senate adjourned its plenary session on Tuesday night as it approved a Senate Concurrent Resolution that seeks to prevent the disenfranchisement of voters in the 10 barangays that were taken back by the Supreme Court from Makati City and given to Taguig City.

While the resolution was ultimately adopted by the Senate, there were a few minutes of heated exchange between the two lawmakers.

Senate President Francis Escudero, who was presiding, was about to adjourn the session upon the motion of Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, when Cayetano objected. He was then allowed to sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 23.

Cayetano filed Concurrent Resolution 23 which seeks to include the 10 enlisted men's barrios Barangays in the 2 legislative districts of  Taguig and Pateros in order not to disenfranchise the registered voters there in  while confirming the increase to 12 of the number of councilors in each councilor district of the City of Taguig for Purposes of Fair and Equitable Representation.

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The resolution said that the Commission on Elections has declared that the residents of the 10 EMBO barangays can vote for national positions and local positions such as mayor, vice mayor, and members of the city council but not for a congressional representative in the 2025 midterm elections in the absence of a congressional act designating under which congressional districts the EMBO barangays belong.

It also pointed out that the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Taguig has passed an ordinance to include the 10 EMBO barangays in the 2 legislative and councilor districts of Taguig, and increasing the number of councilors in each district to 12 for purposes of voting the representatives to the House of Representatives and the elective members of the city council.

"Unless we're ready to say that lahat ng taga-EMBO ay wala nang buwis, we should not take out their right to have a representative and to vote for a representative," Cayetano said in his sponsorship speech.

“This concurrent resolution is meant to guide  the Comelec, meant to give them an option, meant to express the sentiments of the sovereign people through the House and the Senate,” he added.

"There are now 2 evils possible, one evil is that they'll not be able to run nor vote the other one is that the Comelec has no basis of where they can vote and where the barangays which district,” Cayetano also said.

"It's really the congressional district ang problema and you know you cannot have a caretaker for a district that  does not exist," he said, as he explained he consulted Senators not present during the session in seeking the approval of the resolution.

Zubiri then pointed out that this resolution was not in the daily agenda and added that he has not been able to get in touch with Senator Nancy Binay.

"I'm trying to get in touch with our colleague who is from Makati and I do not know does this have enough implication to Senator Binay's representation," Zubiri said.

Cayetano maintained it no longer has anything to do with Makati City because the barangays concerned are under Taguig.

Zubiri then asked for a suspension of the session. It was then that the apparent heated exchange happened. It was not caught on the Senate livestream as it was off session. However upon resumption, the two lawmakers acknowledged that voices were raised during the break.

Cayetano sought to clarify if Zubiri wants to suspend consideration of the measure and discuss it on Wednesday.

Zubiri answered that he does not know anything about the bill. 

"Ang question ko lang diyan is with due respect to him I know it's a local issue, I know it's a local issue, it's important to you guys, and I don't want to disenfranchise anyone. Ang akin lang sana explain sana sa amin ano itong pag-uusapan natin. Yun lang. I asked a  colleague who represents  particularly before these 10 EMBO barangays, I asked her she doesn't know also what's going on. Due courtesy lang ba, sort of some respect, due courtesy, yun lang akin. If I raised my voice it's because I was, it didn't have to go that way and I apologized if I raise my voice ang akin diyan if it will help you maybe we can pass this, we can take it up tomorrow ang akin lang naman diyan is nabigla ako dahil nasa taas nga ako at biglang may concurrent  resolution about these barangays, wala naman sa agenda today so my appeal to the good gentleman, is give us time, please explain to us what it is all about,” Zubiri said.

"If we had a caucus you could have raised it there and said this is a very simple piece of resolution, nobody's going to get affected we're going to get them to vote at least in this elections. If I was told that I would have no problem. Pero biglaan eh. Ngayon ko lang nakita yung document. Here just now when I went down,” Zubiri also said.

"No offense meant to my dear colleague I know it means a lot to him, I'm not here to stall and I'm not here to disenfranchise anyone,” Zubiri also said as he maintained he won't get a measure approved without running it by his colleagues.

Escudero intervened and said the leadership gave due courtesy to Binay because the barangays used to be part of Makati.

"We cleared it with her," Escudero said as he said they consulted Binay's chief of staff and head of legis, who in turn consulted with Binay.

"The response was, she (Binay) can confirm or deny the same tomorrow, it has nothing to do with  Makati because it has everything to do with Taguig," Escudero said.

Cayetano then said he approached Zubiri to explain who wanted to delay it to tomorrow. But Cayetano didn't want to delay because he didn't want to risk not having a chance to consider the measure.

"Nakita niyo naman yung mga ulan ngayon, eh kung bumagyo at mag adjourn tayo so walang taga-EMBO na pwedeng tumakbong congressman, walang pwedeng bumoto?" Cayetano said.

"If he apologizes for raising his voice, me too," Cayetano said.

"Tinuturing ko ring kaibigan kahit may heated siguro naman 1998 ko pa kasama si Senate President Zubiri, siguro we're entitled one heated argument which is tonight kasi 1998 ko pa naman siya madalas magkaiba kami ng stand pero di naman kami nagkakainitan. So if you're apologizing for raising I also apologize for raising my voice,” Cayetano added.

Zubiri asked for a suspension of the session after Cayetano's response. Upon resumption, Zubiri explained he thought the measure sought to create a new congressional district, which led to an exchange of apologies.

"At least now I was able to consult with the good gentleman from Taguig and it's a clarification that we're not creating a new district," Zubiri said, before ultimately saying he does not object to the measure.

"Uminit ulo ko ngayon, I apologize to everyone including Senate President Zubiri, technically may excuse ako kasi I'm steroids dahil hinihika ako ngayon but still no excuse so pasensiya na kayo," Cayetano said.

"Me also I apologize for my behavior, " Zubiri said.

The measure was then adopted.



Pressed by media for more details about the heated exchange afterwards, Zubiri maintained it's about the concurrent resolution on the Embo Bgys.

"Nabigla lang ako sa bilis ng planned approval but after further discussion and explanation ni Sen Alan and with cooler heads prevailing with patched things up,” Zubiri said.

Cayetano's wife is currently mayor, and he too once served as one of the congressmen of the city. 

Zubiri meantime is an ally of Binay of Makati, with whom Cayetano recently had a separate disagreement over the New Senate Building Project. The Binays of Makati and Cayetanos of Taguig had long fought over those barangays that ultimately was resolved by the High Court in Taguig's favor.

As defined in the Senate's website, a concurrent resolution is used for matters affecting the operations of both houses and must be passed in the same form by both of them. 

"However, they are not referred to the President for his signature, and they do not have the force of law. Concurrent resolutions are used to fix the time of adjournment of a Congress and to express the “sense of Congress” on an issue,” the Senate website said.

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Maguindanao del Sur vice mayor hurt in gun attack

Maguindanao del Sur vice mayor hurt in gun attack

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA — Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur Vice Mayor Mohammad Omar Abpi Samama was injured in a gun attack during a gathering at an evacuation center in Barangay Magaslong on Monday. 

According to a report from local police, Samama, who is seeking reelection, was delivering a message at a public service event when he was shot in the abdomen by an unidentified assailant.

The injured vice mayor was quickly transported by ambulance to Cotabato Regional Medical Center in Cotabato City for immediate treatment.

A hot pursuit operation was launched to identify and apprehend the suspect.

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In a separate statement, the local government of Datu Piang announced that Samama is now recovering.

“We are thankful to report that, by the grace of Allah, Vice Mayor Samama is currently recovering. His family, colleagues, and the entire community of Datu Piang continue to offer their support, and we remain hopeful for his full recovery,” the statement read.

The local government also urged residents to remain vigilant, while trusting the due process of law and supporting law enforcement in their work. 

“We urge all members of the community to remain patient and calm as the investigation progresses. It is crucial that we respect the due process of law and allow law enforcement to complete their work,” the statement continued. 

“As we navigate this difficult time, we also emphasize the importance of unity within the community. We call on everyone to stay vigilant and continue upholding the values of peace and mutual respect, which are vital in ensuring that Datu Piang remains a safe and resilient place for all its residents,” it added.

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