House Committee Ethics Reviews Lawmaker Video Incident
MANILA, Philippines — The House committee on ethics will decide any disciplinary measures regarding the lawmaker caught watching a cockfighting video on his phone during a plenary session. This development highlights the role of the House committee ethics in ensuring proper conduct among members.
According to local leaders, 4Ps Partylist Rep. JC Abalos emphasized the need to follow due process, even after AGAP Rep. Nicanor Briones admitted to being the lawmaker in the controversial photo last Wednesday.
“We have proper processes, mechanisms and standards to follow when it comes to disciplining our members. If there is a mistake, we have proper ways to correct it,” Abalos stated.
He added, “I would like to let everyone know that we are not ignoring or will not ignore this incident. We will make sure that we will abide by the proper process before coming up with a decision on matters.”
Committee Formation and Responsibilities
Abalos, who belongs to the minority bloc, was appointed chair of the House committee ethics last Wednesday. The committee’s mandate is to uphold the integrity, reputation, and proper conduct of the House and its members.
Currently, the committee is still organizing its membership and adopting rules. However, Abalos assured the public and his colleagues that they will perform their duties diligently once fully established.
He also urged fellow lawmakers to maintain decorum and uphold the House’s integrity at all times.
Lawmaker’s Admission and Defense
Earlier this week, Briones admitted he was the one seen in the viral photo. Nevertheless, he insisted his conscience was clear.
In an interview, the minority legislator explained that he merely opened a video of a cockfight sent by his nephew, who asked him to sponsor a traditional cockfight.
“It’s not e-sabong,” Briones said. “I don’t even have GCash. I don’t even know how to do money transfer, because I’m so old-school.”
He added, “I came forward because I didn’t want Congress to be implicated in this. The voting just really took a long time and I just looked at a message sent to me.”
Public Reaction and Broader Context
The photo sparked widespread attention amid calls from church groups and some lawmakers to ban online gambling. Critics argue that online gambling causes addiction and financial hardships for many families.
Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. acknowledged the destructive nature of online gambling, describing it as a social ill that tears families apart. However, his latest State of the Nation Address did not mention the issue.
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