BATANGAS lawmakers condemned the allegations against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, calling them baseless, malicious and irresponsible.
Representatives Ryan Recto (6th District), Amado Carlos Bolilia IV (4th District), King George Collantes (3rd District), Beverley Rose Dimacuha (5th District), and Gerville Reyes-Luistro (2nd District), filed a resolution where they slammed Batangas First District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste for delivering a privilege speech, during plenary in the House of Representatives, accusing the Recto couple of irregularities.
The solons also expressed their firm solidarity and support to Executive Secretary Recto and Gov. Santos-Recto.
The resolution asserts that the accusations regarding alleged anomalies in Batangas were described without “competent, verifiable, or documentary evidence,” relying instead on anonymous and uncorroborated claims.
They emphasized that while parliamentary immunity is a privilege provided to Members of the House, it “should not be abused to put forth personal interests in the guise of public service.”
The resolution further characterizes Leviste’s conduct as a “grave misuse of legislative authority,” accusing him of acting as a “peddler of fake news.”
The solons raised concerns that the remarks were politically motivated and were particularly aimed at unfairly maligning the decades-long record of ES Recto and Gov. Santos-Recto in their leadership as seasoned public leaders, especially in the province of Batangas.
“ES Recto and GOV Santos-Recto have, for decades, demonstrated exemplary leadership, unquestioned integrity, and steadfast dedication to public service,” the resolution states, highlighting the “transformative growth” Batangas experienced under the Governor’s HEARTS program (Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism, and Social Services).
The House resolution formally calls for the House of Representatives to condemn the allegations and serves as an expression of support for the Rectos’ “enduring legacy of service to the Filipino people and to the Province of Batangas.”
In his privilege speech, Leviste disclosed the connection of ES Recto and Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list Edwin Gardiola, whose name was being linked to the so-called “Cong-tractors.”
Without presenting any evidence Leviste claimed the two were involved in flood control projects. He also said it was Gardiola who financed the campaign of Gov. Vilma and son Luis Manzano, who lost in the Vice Gubernatorial race.
For his part, Recto denied involvement in flood control and instead, disclosed that Legarda tried to bribe them with P1 billion in exchange for Gov. Vilma’s withdrawal from the gubernatorial race.