THE HOUSE Committee on Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy approved on Tuesday the resolution supporting the Philippines’ withdrawal of its membership from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
House Resolution No. 2270, introduced by Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon, was filed following Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s recommendation to withdraw.
This stemmed from the IPU’s resolution to visit the Philippines and look into the detention of Senator Leila M. De Lima and the revival of rebellion charges against Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, both opposition lawmakers.
“Clearly, the IPU stepped out of its boundaries with its interference in the country’s judicial processes, which runs counter to the principle of State sovereignty,” Mr. Suarez told the panel.
“For the benefit of our country and our people, together with our Speaker, the entire House of Representatives must express its support for the withdrawal of membership of the IPU,” he added.
Sought for comment, Director Corazon B. Alano of the Office of the Secretary-General, a resource speaker at the committee’s hearings, said, “There’s nothing to say about this, other than the decision belongs to Congress….The decision is supposed to be a dual thing, House and the Senate.” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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