TUCP denies sending another congressman

CEBU, Philippines - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines has belied reports that one of its factions wants to install its own man in the House of Representatives when Congress resumes on July 28.

Associated Labor Union (ALU)-TUCP spokesperson Art Barrit said the issue raised by the group of former Bohol representative and senator Ernesto Herrera is separate and distinct and has nothing to do with the party-list.

“It has something to do with the TUCP leadership as a labor center,” Barrit said during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Herrera‘s faction reportedly vowed to install Roland dela Cruz as its representative to replace Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, who was installed by a faction led by his father, former TUCP president Democrito Mendoza Sr.

Barrit said moves for TUCP Party-list to have another representation in Congress are not true and an old issue that Herrera is allegedly trying to bring back out.

“If Herrera is really concerned on the TUCP Party-list representation, the best thing he could do I think is to file a case or a formal complaint with the HRET (House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal) and not with the newspaper,” Barrit said.

The group of Herrera made the announcement after the Court of Appeals recognized it as the legitimate TUCP and Herrera as its president.

Herrera and the elder Mendoza were among the labor group’s founding members and long-time leaders.

Herrera’s faction said Mendoza Sr. resigned as the labor group’s president in 2011. Herrera, then secretary-general, automatically succeeded Mendoza, based on TUCP‘s constitution and by-laws.

However, the elder Mendoza later recalled his resignation, which set off a dispute that the CA resolved in a ruling first promulgated in October 2013 and affirmed last June 16. —(FREEMAN)