VICE MAYOR J. Melchor Quitain Jr. expressed his disapproval and disappointment over the actions taken by the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte and her chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.
Quitain said the congressional leadership should uphold and respect the law.
He also expressed surprise at the contempt citation against Lopez, who did not disobey or show disrespect during the quadcom hearing.
“As a lawyer, the power of contempt belongs to the regular courts of justice. From what I’ve seen, you can be cited for contempt if you do not attend but if you are there attending, there’s no more reason to cite you in contempt unless you become disrespectful, rowdy inside, you say bad things and (being) disrespectful to whoever is sitting in the committee. But she was very courteous, very kind, and we know Atty. Zuleika was the former city administrator… I was shocked why she was cited in contempt,” said Quitain in an interview with the media on the sidelines of a prayer rally on Saturday evening, Nov. 23.
Quitain assured VP Sara and Lopez of his continued prayers and support as they face these challenges.
To Davaoeños who also disagreed with the situation, he reminded them that they are free to express their views as it is a constitutional right. He appealed to the public to always abide by the law in airing their grievances through peaceful means, such as holding a prayer rally, for instance.
Photo courtesy of Rhoda Grace B Saron
