MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, congressman representing the Second District of Cagayan de Oro City and one of the opponents of the reproductive health (RH) bill, went ballistic in the lower House Tuesday amid his fears that fellow lawmakers behind the proposed legislation would push for the period of amendments on the measure.
Rep. Rodriguez shouted and accused the House Secretariat officers of "cheating" in the count of congressmen at the session hall on Tuesday afternoon. He said that based on his count, there were only 111 congressmen while the House Secretariat counted 158.
Rufus Rodriguez, an outspoken anti-RH bill congressman just made a scene in the House of Representatives, whom I think would like to surpass the infamous Senator Tito Sotto.
Rodriguez was able to force the House of Representatives to adjourn the session.
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales said that the accusations of Rodriguez are unfair and untruthful, and stood by the count of the House Secretariat.
Many congressmen were disappointed with Rodriguez's actions.
Rep. JV Ejercito was also disappointed by the actions of his colleague because the landmark "kasambahay" bill that he co-authored was supposed to be tackled and passed on third reading on Tuesday.
Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello said the actions of Rodriguez are unacceptable.
He said Rodriguez should be reprimanded by the House leadership.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, a graduate of the De La Salle University (Ab Economics '75, Summa Cum Laude) and the University of the Philippines College of Law, Rodriguez served as Vice-Governor of Misamis Oriental from 1984 to 1987. In 1990, he became the Dean of the College of Law of San Sebastian College. Rodriguez was appointed as the head of the Bureau of Immigration by President Joseph Estrada in 1998, and served in that capacity until 2001.
Source: ABS CBN news, wikipedia