MISAMIS Oriental second district Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano explained that he did not deny fellow Rep. Leandro Antonio Leviste (Batangas first district) to hold a privilege speech during their plenary session last Monday (May 4).
During his weekly syndicated radio program, Emano said that 23 congressmen had already scheduled to hold privilege speeches during that session after a long six-week break.
Emano said that Leviste was the 23rd on queue but rather than wait his turn, the Luzon congressman reportedly cut in line after the eighth privilege speaker Kamanggawa party list Rep. Elijah San Fernando.
“I could not allow him to cut the line kay mangasuko ang 15 pa kabuok nga mga congressman nga wala pa naka-privilege speech. We must follow protocol,” Emano said.
Emano was the presider in the session last Monday in his capacity as deputy speaker.
He said that under their rules, there are only three procedures that a congressman is allowed to interrupt the sequence of the privilege speeches – point of order, parliamentary inquiry and motion to adjourn.
Emano said the situation was not a big deal because Leviste was able to eventually speak during the third day of the session last Wednesday (May 6).
