Talino at Galing Partylist (TGP) Representative Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. struck back at Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez over his claims that partylist solons have no standing in the lone district of Catanduanes.
Speaking to the media during a break in the luncheon he tendered for Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and local officials at the Rakdell Inn, Teves said all partylist groups have constituents in all congressional districts nationwide, including Catanduanes.
He reminded Rodriguez that no district congressman can pass laws without the support of other congressmen and partylist representatives.
“We have the same position in Congress and we do the same work,” Rep. Teves said. “No one can say that the partylist congressman has no jurisdiction in any district.”
The TGP solon was reacting to reports that Cong. Rodriguez has been repeatedly stressing in his appearances in official events in the province that he is the only duly elected representative of Catanduanes in Congress.
Teves pointed out that in the wake of super typhoon Rolly which brought down the FICELCO distribution system, it was the partylist group PhilRECA which sent in teams from other electric cooperatives to help restore power to the island.
“Any partylist group can go to any district to offer assistance in case of calamities,” he added.
He likewise cited the case of Ako Bicol partylist which has allocated P300 million for a multi-purpose gymnasium to the province, noting that no district congressman has been able to do in the past.
Teves also emphasized that despite being elected TGP representative in the nationwide polls, he remains a resident and a registered voter of Catanduanes, having studied in the local public schools and served as mayor and vice governor from 2001 to 2016.
“Hindi pinag-uusapan kung taga-saan ka o ano ka pa man,” he said. “Ang pinag-uusapan dito ano ba ang maitutulong mo sa probinsyang pinanggalingan mo.”
It would be much better if the district congressman and the partylist representatives help each other for the benefit of Catanduanes or any district, he said.
“Wag na tayong magkaroon ng insecurities, ang kailangan natin magtulungan. Hindi kailangan dito ang away. Hindi kailangan dito ang payabangan. Hindi kailangan dito ang siraan, ang kailangan dito ay tulungan ng mga congressman na nagmamahal sa Happy Island ng Catanduanes,” the TGP solon stated.
He advised Cong. Rodriguez to read the functions of a district congressman and the functions of a partylust representative to be able to understand if what he is saying is right or wrong.
Answering a query from mainland media, Cong. Teves said TGP has projects for Catanduanes but Rodrigues has been blocking them.
He refused to elaborate on the issue but promised to reveal the same in the proper time.
“Bakit ako naglalagay ng pondo sa Basilan, P200 million? Bakit ako nagbibigay ng pondo sa Tabuk, Kalinga, P180 million? Kasi ayaw niya ako ritong maglagay. Ang gusto niya siya lang ang maglagay,” the native son of Baras said.
“Pero sinasabi niya na pumupunta siya sa mga senador para humingi ng tulong para pandagdag sa Catanduanes, pero si Bong Teves willing magbigay, ayaw niyang tanggapin,” he added.
Cong. Teves disclosed that TGP has provided limited funding for Catanduanes, including multi-purpose buildings for municipalities and some school buildings in Bato, Virac, Baras and Palumbanes, Caramoran.
“Mas maraming partylist na tutulong, mas maganda para sa Happy Island of Catanduanes,” he said.