Alcover wants ban on pickets at Lower House

CEBU, Philippines – In his first resolution since sitting in Congress, ANAD Party List Representative Pastor Alcover Jr. wants that mass actions and demonstrations within the premises of the Batasan Complex in Quezon City be stopped.

Alcover, an anti- communist crusader, contended that mass actions and demonstrations pose “grave danger” to legislators, as well as to the general public. Aside from this, picketing at the Batasan also affect the ingress and egress of motorists therein.

These concerns are indicated in Alcover’s first resolution, House Resoluion 1187.

Alcover said that the House of Representatives is besieged with militant demonstrators or protesters almost every month. These picketers are the ones that put up makeshift structures as shelter during the length of time they will hold their picket.

“The camping in and picketing at the gates of the House of Representatives is an eyesore and definitely puts the country in a bad light — giving a picture of an unstable and disorganized state which definitely may affect decisions of foreign investors,” Alcover said.

Likewise, Alcover also wants to know why militant groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela and Kabataan are allowed to camp and hold pickets at the gates of the Batasan Complex despite the fact that they already have representatives sitting in Congress.

“These demonstrators or protesters have elected members in the House of Representatives who can represent their interests and aspirations in the halls of Congress,” Alcover said.

Alcover believes that demonstrations are “nothing but simple and pure harassment to pressure Congress to railroad legislations solely for their interests, disregarding the rules of legislation.” — Garry B. Lao/JMO (THE FREEMAN)