The 39-member Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Monday issued a manifesto expressing full support for House Speaker Bojie Dy, asserting that his noninvolvement in the flood control controversy makes him a credible leader at a critical moment for the chamber.
Led by House Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor, and Representatives Alfredo Benitez and Vincent Franco Frasco, the bloc said the House is facing a period demanding “moral recovery, humility and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths.”
“Speaker Dy has no involvement, no stake and no entanglement in the controversies that have shaken public confidence. His distance from these scandals is not merely a personal advantage, (but) an institutional necessity,” the manifesto stated.
“The House cannot hope to regain credibility if the person leading its reforms is compromised by the very wrongdoing we aim to confront.”
The lawmakers said Dy has shown the “moral clarity” needed to push reforms in an institution that “must admit that mistakes were made, that systems were abused, and that the House must change if it hopes to serve the Filipino people with honor.”
“Speaker Dy has opened the doors to accountability. He has encouraged transparency. He has signaled that no one is above the process,” they added, stressing their belief that the House must stay on its reform path.
“With full responsibility to our constituents and fidelity to our oath, we declare our support for (the) Speaker… and the reforms he has set in motion,” the bloc said.
“We believe that under his leadership, the House can restore its moral compass, reclaim its credibility and return to its duty of serving the Filipino people with integrity.”
Dozens of other Visayan representatives also signed the manifesto, joining earlier declarations of support from 30 Metro Manila district representatives, 67 members of the Mindanao bloc, the 39-member Northern Luzon Alliance, and the 44-member Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc.