Pichay defends Arroyo, accuses IPU of 'political partisanship'

House Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay Jr. on Wednesday defended Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's recommendation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), which he accused of "political partisanship."

The Arroyo ally also questioned why the Geneva-based global organization of national parliamentarians was quick to defend criticism Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV while it was silent when the former president was jailed.

"The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is quick to defend Senators of Lima and Antonio Trillanes, but when the rights of the President and now Speaker of the House were violated by the United Nations, the IPU was quiet. How come? "Pichay asked in a statement.

"Where was the IPU when Speaker Arroyo was unjustly jailed for five years without any valid charges? Are they playing political partisanship? "He added.

In 2012, the Ombudsman filed a case against the misuse of multi-million funds of the state-run Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). In 2013, the Anti-Graft Court was arrested, but it was eventually allowed to be under hospital arrest.

READ: What Went Before ?: Arroyo's plunder box

Arroyo was cleared by the Supreme Court in 2016.

Pichay also asked why the IPU has "interfered" in the cases involving Lima and Trillanes when the "same judicial processes had been used against Arroyo."

De Lima is currently in the process of being politically motivated, while Trillanes is president of Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: IN THE KNOW: The Inter-Parliamentary Union

On Monday, Arroyo said she would recommend the Senate of the Philippines' membership of the IPU composed of 178-member states.

READ: Arroyo to push PH withdrawal from IPU

This article is about the organization concerned about the criticism of the Duterte Administration – Opposition of Lima and Trillanes.

READ: Parliamentarians' union to probe boxes of De Lima, Trillanes

The IPU also issued a resolution in the Senate to take over the duties of a deputy in the chamber's deliberations.

READ: Philippine Senate urged, 'act in solidarity' with De Lima

Some opposition lawmakers from the House of Representatives slammed Arroyo's plan with Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin branding it as a "diplomatic disaster" that "derogates" the country's standing in international bodies.

READ: Opposition lawmakers hit planned PH pull out of IPU

But another Arroyo ally, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, backed Arroyo's bid to pull out of the IPU by filing a House resolution. / ee

READ: PH withdrawal from IPU gets support from House leader

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