BUHAY Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza was celebrated ahead of Father’s Day by no less than his son, award-winning host Kim Atienza, for standing up against a fellow lawmaker for “browbeating” during a recent hearing on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal at the House of Representatives.
Kuya Kim tweeted his gratitude towards his father after his interpellation by saying, “proud of you pops. Thank you,” which got thousands of likes on Twitter.
Atienza became the talk of the town for pointing out the conduct of the committee members and calling the hearings a ‘fishing expedition’ as it continues to find new issues against ABS-CBN after government agencies have addressed the allegations against the network.
“After 7 hearings, wala pa po silang napapatunayan. Humihingi sila ng records, meaning they are on a fishing expedition,” he said.
Atienza then requested for a ‘better control’ of the proceedings and asked his fellow lawmakers to evaluate ABS-CBN based on its contributions.
“Husgahan natin ang ABS-CBN on the basis of their contribution to national development and the protection of the rights of every citizen and public service,” he added.
Meanwhile, netizens praised Atienza for calling out certain lawmakers for repeating allegations that have been addressed and “monopolizing the hearings.”
“Ang tanong sa akin sa labas, ganon lang palagi. ‘Kayo ba ay talagang desidido kayong huwag bigyan ng prangkisa?’ Sabi ko, ‘Bakit ganon ang impression ninyo?’ ‘Eh napapanood po naming.’ ‘Yung paratang ng isa ay paulit-ulit na hindi binabago bagamat nagsasalita na ang awtoridad.’”
“This is not a committee of 1, 2, 3, or 4 congressmen,” he said. “We are a 305-member Congress and this committee represents the Philippine Congress. Sana’ya mapagbigay sila. Immediately magrereact siya ng ganyan, nangangahuluang lang na tampo yung aking damdamin na itong hearing natin ay hindi po natin inilalagay sa tamang direksiyon,” he said.
Twitter user @Doppelganger416 said, “I hope Mr. Lito Atienza will be kept on the list of interpellators. The Congress looked shaken by his sharp words. He gave them anti ABS-CBN a sermon that embarrassed and butthurt the three old stooges. The vice chair is also guilty.”
Another user, @agstczguii tweeted, “Rep. Lito Atienza has the guts to call out certain people in the Congress. Salute to you. You nailed it.”
