A lawmaker who  supported fugitive former Rep. Jovito Palparan’s continued hiding is in hot water as House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte yesterday ordered the House ethics committee to look into the culpability of Rep. Pastor Alcover of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy who told Palparan that he should continue hiding and evade the law.
Belmonte said the statement of Alcover is disturbing.
He added lawmakers should protect and defend the laws and the Constitution and not condone the illegal acts of Palparan who continues to evade justice.
“We can bring that matter before the House committee on ethics and privileges because as lawmakers we are bound to lead by example,” Belmonte said.
“As members of Congress, we have to avoid and discourage statements that may tend to disregard the laws of the land,” Belmonte added.
Earlier, Gabriela party-list Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan had said Alcover could be subjected to disciplinary action by the House panel for asking Palparan to continue on hiding instead of surrendering to authorities.
Alcover said Palparan should continue evading the law because he is not going to get a fair trial under the present administration.
“That is unfounded because Justice Secretary De Lima is not the lone fiscal and judge in this case. It is the duty of Palparan to face the music,” he said.
Ilagan said the advice of Alcover to Palparan is tantamount to obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming of a lawmaker.
Palparan, known as “The Butcher” to the progressive bloc, is facing two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention in connection with the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in 2006.       Gerry Baldo