MANILA – BHW Party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co and Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo on Monday filed a formal complaint against Agri Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee with the House Committee on Ethics over his “acts of aggression” during a plenary budget deliberation of the House of Representatives on September 25.
Quimbo said Lee acted aggressively toward her and Co during the September 25 deliberation on the Department of Health’s (DOH) 2025 budget, pointing at them repeatedly and moving toward them in a threatening manner.
None of Lee’s “aggressive actions” toward Co and her were documented by any media outlet, she added.
Quimbo said what was reported in the media was Lee interrupting Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza, who was moving to terminate the interpellation period, by grabbing the microphone from him.
“From my perspective, his actions, particularly, his moving forward with his hand and eye movement — were an attempt to assault. My instinct was to duck behind the podium for my own safety. I felt physically threatened. Nakita ko rin ang kalituhan ni Rep. Co sa sitwasyon (I also saw Rep. Co’s confusion regarding the situation),” Quimbo said.
Quimbo stressed that as vice chairs of the House Committee on Appropriations, it is not within their discretion to choose who gets to ask questions.
She also underscored that they were not part of the House Committee on Rules, which oversees proceedings.
“Our responsibility as budget sponsors is to address the questions of the interpellators chosen by the minority. ‘Yan ay malinaw sa rules of procedure ng House. Bilang mga sponsors, kami ang sumasagot sa mga katanungan (That is clear in the rules of procedure at the House. As sponsors, we are merely answering questions),” she said.
The lawmakers said the incident caused emotional distress.
“Right after the termination of the DOH budget hearing, nag-iyakan kami ng mga sponsors. Hindi po iyon tears of joy tulad ng inakala ng marami, kundi tears of fear. (we, as sponsors, cried. Those were not tears of joy, but fear),” Quimbo said.
Co reportedly collapsed from stress an hour later during Speaker Martin Romualdez’ address before the adjournment of the session.
“This should not happen to any woman, especially in the workplace. His actions were a clear form of intimidation, and this behavior is unacceptable,” Quimbo said, calling the behavior “unparliamentary.”
Lee respects filing of ethics complaint
Lee acknowledged the complaint, stressing that it was not his intention to harm or bully anyone or disrespect the institution.
“Iginagalang po natin ito bilang karapatan ng kapwa natin mambabatas (I respect the right of my fellow lawmakers to file the complaint),” Lee said.
Lee explained that his actions stemmed from his impassioned advocacy to put on record the commitments he secured from the DOH and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on lowering the out-of-pocket medical expenses of Filipinos.
He highlighted that the increase in PhilHealth benefits by 30 percent earlier this year was part of his persistent advocacy.
He said he would provide a full explanation once formally summoned by the Ethics Committee.
“Hinihintay lang po natin na makakuha ng opisyal na kopya para makatugon sa nasabing ethics complaint (We are waiting for the official complaint so we can properly respond),” Lee said.
Lee cited the commitment signed by DOH Secretary and PhilHealth Board chair Ted Herbosa and PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. to lower the out-of-pocket hospital expenses of Filipinos.
The agreement, Lee said, includes the following: implementation of another round of benefits package enhancement, across-the-board, by 50 percent effective November 2024; the inclusion of diagnostic tests such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of outpatient services not later than December 31, 2024; coverage of at least 80 percent of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and procedures for heart diseases not later than Dec. 31, 2024; and coverage of pediatrics and adult prescription glasses by November 2024. (PNA)