QuadComm calls out ex-NYC chair Cardema for provoking Bayan Muna chair Colmenares 

The House of Representatives Quad Committee on Wednesday called out former National Youth Commission chairperson Ronald Cardema for his inappropriate behavior as a guest during a hearing. 

The continuation of the panel’s probe on the extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration suddenly stopped for a while following a commotion. 

“What is the commotion? Bakit (Why)?” asked House QuadComm chairperson and Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers. 

Bayan Muna chairperson Neri Colmenares went to the microphone and said that Cardema suddenly taunted him while he was on his way out to the washroom. 

“Nung dumadaan ako, ang sabi ni Mr. Cardema, ‘Di ba Bayan Muna ka? Tumatakbo ka sa eleksyon.’ Sabi ko, ‘Marami namang congressman dito na tumatakbo sa eleksyon, bakit kami ang mine-mention mo?’ So ayun lang naman ang ano ko po,” Colmenares lamented. 

(When I was passing by, Mr. Cardema asked, ‘You're from Bayan Muna right? You’re also running for next year.’ I replied, ‘There are other congressmen here who will run next year, so why zero in on me?) 

The panel asked guests in the hearing to observe proper behavior. 

“I would advise our guests here, please not to provoke anybody,” said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. 

Meanwhile, Barbers gave a warning to Cardema. 

“Please be reminded Mr. Cardema, hindi niyo po pwedeng i-taunt, palakpakan, o insultuhin kahit sino. The next time na gawin mo ‘yan, baka ikaw ang magsisi,” he said. 

(Please be reminded Mr. Cardema that you cannot taunt, clap for, or insult anyone here. The next time you do that, you might regret it.) 

Attendance 

Meanwhile, Duterte Youth Party-list Rep. Drixie Mae Cardema, the sister of the former NYC chairperson, manifested before the panel that it should have invited victims of drug suspects for a “fair hearing.” 

“Gusto natin ng patas na hearing. Sana sinama natin dito ang libo-libong mga magulang na ang mga anak ay biniktima ng mga dorogista,” she said. 

(We want a fair hearing. We should have invited thousands of parents whose children were victims of drug addicts.) 

Further, the lawmaker also insinuated that progressive congressmen should speak up about the murders being committed by communist forces. 

“Lastly, sa mga kongresista na ka-alyado ng mga NPA, mahiya naman tayo sa topic ng pagpatay. Dahil kayo mismo, hindi kayo nagsasalita sa pagpatay ng NPA sa mga pulis, sundalo, at mamamayang Pilipino,” said Cardema. 

(Lastly, to the congressmen here who are allies with the NPA, shame on you for speaking up on killings. Because you don’t even speak about the murders committed by the NPA on the police, soldiers, and Filipino citizens.) 

However, Barbers also called the attention of the Duterte Youth party-list representative for making such suggestions despite not being present in the past hearings. 

“Kung mayroon kayong gustong ipa-imbita, mag-attend kayo ng hearing. Hindi yung aattend kayo kapag nandito ang dating pangulo at ang bise presidente,” said Barbers. 

(If you want someone to be invited, then you should be attending the hearings. You just attended now because the former president and the vice president are present.) 

“From here on, we want to see you in our hearing and please submit to the committee secretary all the persons you want to be invited. 

Meanwhile, ACT-Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro also questioned Cardema for her statement. 

“Paulit-ulit yung manifestation na ‘yan. Tatlong beses ko na ‘yang narinig  laban sa NPA, laban sa mga progresibong grupo, laban sa mga party-list ng mga progresibong gaya namin. Yung mga tinutukoy niya siguro ay kami yun…ano ba ang intensyon ng mga ganitong manifestation?” 

(I have repeatedly heard that manifestation. I think I heard it thrice, which is against the NPA, against the progressive groups, and against the progressive party-lists like us. For sure, she was referring to us…but what’s really the intention of these kinds of manifestation?)—LDF, GMA Integrated News