A political strategist is now challenging Martin Romualdez and the public after France Castro was found guilty of child abuse.
“The law should favor no one, it should be fair,” Malou Tiquia, Political Strategist said.
Guilty verdict against ACT Teachers Party-List Representative France Castro for child abuse poses a significant challenge to the leadership of Martin Romualdez.
According to political strategist Malou Tiquia, Romualdez’s actions towards Castro need to be monitored, specifically whether Castro will be removed as a member of the House.
To recall, the Lower House removed Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. after he was implicated in the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others last March.
“Even while Teves’ case was on appeal, he was immediately removed from his position.”
“So, once again, ethical standards come into play. It seems this administration is setting aside ethical standards along with accountability and transparency. This will be a test for the House leadership on whether they will remove Congw. Castro,” Tiquia added.
Tiquia added that Castro played a significant role in last year’s budget deliberations, questioning the requested budget of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education for this year.
Because of this, there is a high possibility that Romualdez will not remove Castro from her position.
Public should clamor for France Castro’s removal from the House ─political strategist
Thus, Tiquia calls on the public to challenge Castro to leave the House voluntarily.
“The public should challenge this— to establish an ethical standard by which we will be judged. Just because the Speaker will not remove her—that this will be allowed to slide,” she stressed.
Tiquia believes that the public will judge Romualdez based on his treatment of Castro, a leftist lawmaker who has never condemned the crimes of the CPP-NPA-NDF.
“We will see that the public will critically judge if the Speaker views the law fairly or shows favoritism. This will be the test. If he is not fair, let us call them out. You know, the nation’s strength lies in every Filipino. Let us voice our sentiments because it’s unacceptable to be protected just because you are allies,” she concluded.
