Remulla files ethics complaint vs Madrigal for calling him ‘corruption king’

MANILA, Philippines — Now, it is Senator Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal’s turn to face the ethics committee after former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla on Tuesday filed a complaint against her for calling him “corruption king of Cavite." In a press statement, Remulla said Madrigal’s “unethical behavior has gone far too long." He said the senator was accusing him of a criminal act. “For two consecutive terms as representative of the 2nd district of Cavite, I have never been involved in any corruption activities, nor have I been linked to any," Remulla said. He said Madrigal’s name-calling is not an isolated case as she also accused Senator Manuel Villar Jr., Nacionalista Party president, of meeting President Gloria Macapagal in Spain, which was not true. “As a senator, it is expected of Jamby Madrigal to be a living example of being a statesperson. But given her penchant for ‘gutter speak’ to score media mileage, she has maligned the long list of statesmen and women who have graced the Senate. In fact, she has maligned the Senate itself as an institution," Remulla said. He added: “She has done disservice to the good name of her grandfather. She has become the exact opposite." In his complaint affidavit, Remulla said Madrigal committed “unconstitutional and unethical conduct unbecoming a senator for using unparliamentary language and disorderly behavior." He said Madrigal uttered the remarks on May 8, 2009 in a television interview when she was no longer inside the session hall, but still inside the Senate building. He said the remarks were uncalled for because it has nothing to do with Madrigal’s official functions, or in the enactment of laws. “Since the mantle of privilege does not cover her statements, respondent evidently uttered them with malice, and for no reason than to unduly expose the complainant to public contempt and ridicule," Remulla said. He added that Madrigal’s imputation of crimes against him has no basis at all. “When she was asked at an interview by the radio station if she had proof of her utterances, she said she knows the complainant ‘by reputation.’ She cited no cases, no data, not a single iota of evidence to support her malicious remarks, yet the incumbent Senator felt so free to malign the complainant’s character," Remulla said. He asked the ethics committee, after finding Madrigal liable, to recommend to the Senate that she be expelled or suspended for a total of 60 days. ’Harassment Madrigal said the complaint was meant to harass her but she still welcomes it and will submit herself to the ethics committee. “As usual nag-aagaw-eksena na naman ang mga alagad ni Senator Villar [Villar’s allies are once again trying to steal the limelight]. This is a harassment case filed by a proxy. I welcome this case as an opportunity for me to prove that he (Remulla) is indeed a land-grabber," the senator said. She added that unlike Villar, she will submit herself to the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Ethics as “I am not afraid to face my peers." “It’s unfortunate that Gilbert Remulla is allowing himself to be used by Villar, who did not even have the courage to personally file this case against me. Kung inaakala ni Senator Villar at ng kanyang mga alagad na ako ay matatakot sa kanilang harassment, nagkakamali sila (If Senator Villar and his followers think that I will be frightened with their harassment, they are wrong]," Madrigal said. - GMANews.TV