Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong has criticized Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong for claiming that 90% of House members are corrupt, calling the sweeping accusation irresponsible and demanding solid proof.
Adiong emphasized that public servants have a duty to ensure their statements are accurate and verified before making them public.
“As public officers and public officials, we carry responsibility when we speak about certain matters — not only to give clarity to the public, but with precision,” Adiong said. “When I say precision, it has to also be backed up by evidence, solid evidence.”
While the lawmaker noted that he welcomes public efforts to promote transparency and government accountability, he insisted that these initiatives must respect due process rather than attack an entire institution.
“We cannot dismiss that because we also welcome any effort from any sectors in our society to call for accountability,” he said. “But accountability also should be coupled with the observance of due process.”
Adiong pushed back against general conclusions about the legislature, arguing that the public should evaluate the House of Representatives based on the actions of its individual members.
“It is quite irresponsible and unfair to just brush the entire institution with a single stroke and to say that 90% of the members are corrupt,” Adiong stated. “We should be judged based on our individual work.”
The lawmaker highlighted that the House regularly exercises internal oversight through various legislative inquiries and committee investigations.
He challenged Magalong, a retired police general, to name specific individuals instead of making generalized claims.
“If he has names, it’s better to name names rather than to attack the entire institution,” he urged.
Adiong concluded that while democratic criticism is necessary, groundless accusations only damage public trust in critical government bodies.