Hontiveros urges Marcos to reconsider Gadon appointment after disbarment

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to reconsider the appointment of Lorenzo “Larry” Gadon as Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation after the Supreme Court disbarred him.

Voting 15-0, the Supreme Court en banc disbarred Gadon in connection with a viral video clip where he repeatedly cursed and uttered profane remarks against journalist Raissa Robles. 

“I ask the President to reconsider the appointment of Larry Gadon. Not only was he disbarred, he was also cited in direct contempt by the Supreme Court voting 15-0. A disgraced former attorney does not inspire confidence in the Cabinet,” Hontiveros said in a statement Wednesday.

Hontiveros said that Gadon “holds neither title nor expertise to justify his appointment” and pushing through with the decision “will only demoralize the bureaucracy by incentivizing an official whom the Court unanimously does not trust.”

“This will be a slap in the face for our legal professionals, and yet another black eye on good governance so early on in the current administration,” she said.

The lawmaker also lauded the SC for its indignation about misogyny and sexism in the country’s institutions. This, she said, is vital to the government's integrity.

In response, Gadon said in a message to GMA News Online, "Mag Presidente muna sya, para sya masunod sa mga appointments."

In an earlier statement late Tuesday, Gadon said he would file a motion for reconsideration "on the ground that the penalty is too harsh." He has also refused to apologize for his past remarks.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Escudero said it is up to Marcos to retain Gadon as his presidential adviser.

“The position to which he was appointed to does not require him to be a member of the Philippine Bar nor a lawyer,” Escudero said.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin also said Gadon will still keep his post.

“He will continue on his new role as Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation as there are urgent matters that need to be done in the President's anti-poverty programs,” Bersamin said in a statement. “The President believes he will do a good job.”

Gadon said he wants to emulate China and Taiwan's "micro industries" to create jobs.

"Ang aking idea ay magkaroon ng mga micro-industries, gagayahin ko 'yung ginawang pattern ng China and Taiwan na marami silang micro-industries na nakakalat sa kanilang mga komunidad na nagi-empleyo ng 50 hanggang 100 na tao," he said. — BM, GMA Integrated News