Ruckus mars closure of House con-ass debates

MANILA, Philippines - A ruckus broke out at the House of Representatives late Tuesday night after a lawmaker moved to close debates on a measure pushing for a constituent assembly right in the middle of interpellations. Members of the minority protested simultaneously to the motion of Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen to close deliberations on House Resolution 1109, the controversial measure seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly that would amend the 1987 Constitution. A viva voce voting after the objections showed House members in favor of closing debates on the controversial, much-contested resolution. In her objection, Deputy Minority Leader and South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio said the minority has long accepted that they are outnumbered so they should at least be given the chance to be heard. "I believe in democracy. I believe in the rule of the majority. But this is tyranny," she said. Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, also Deputy Minority Leader, pointed out that HR 1109 was brought to the plenary in the first place so that all members of the House can be heard. Cibac Rep. Joel Villanueva said members of the minority were being "gagged." "History is never kind to those who do not heed the people's call," Villanueva said. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV