But Roque says removal violates charter, asks Comelec to intervene

Lawyer and congressman Harry Roque has been "removed" as the representative of the Kabayan Party-list group, the multi-sectoral party said on Tuesday.

In a statement sent to the media, Kabayan Party said "loss of trust and confidence" and "an overwhelming call among Kabayan Party-list members and supporters" were among the reasons for Roque's ouster as their representative in the lower House.

"The Board found Harry Roque's behavior, acts, and statements as severely damaging to the Party-list," the statement read.

"Harry Roque's continued stay with Kabayan Partylist is inimical to its interest and long-term sustainability as a principled party-list."

The party-list group earlier "apologized" for Roque's "irresponsible statements" alleging bribery in the Office of the Ombudsman.

It also "probed" Roque last December for his line of questioning against Senator Leila de Lima.

VIOLATION OF RULES

But Roque labelled his removal as a "violation of the Constitution," citing the party-list group's by-laws which provide that representatives should be picked or removed during a regular party congress that is held once every three years.

"The fact that the notice of removal was sent to the media but not to me or my office just goes to show that the people behind this plot are after media mileage, not the interest of our party," Roque said.

"I have, on several occasions, requested that a party congress be convened, but Rep. Ron Salo would not have none of it. Instead, he put up his own Executive Committee, composed of individuals he had hand-picked, in gross violation of the party Constitution and By-laws," Roque said.

COMELEC AS ARBITER

Roque filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Tuesday, asking the poll body to rule over the internal dispute.

"Our petition also seeks the annulment of the illegal resolution issued by Rep. Salo's board for being null and void. The COMELEC is the proper venue for the intra-corporate dispute now brewing within the party-list group," Roque said.

The internal row between the two Kabayan representatives, Roque and Salo, had been brewing since last year.

Salo delivered a privilege speech last month entitled, "A Rabid Dog on the Loose!" where he lamented how Roque maligned and belittled him.

"The Board of Kabayan Partylist deeply regrets having chosen him as one of its representatives here in the House of Representatives. Please be assured though that our Board is taking the necessary steps to right this mistake," Salo said in December 2016.

Roque sought for Salo's expulsion earlier this month, after Salo disclosed in a press release a disbarment case against him.

The Kabayan Party is a multi-sectoral party that represents transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, industrial workers, urban poor, migrant workers and seafarers, youth, and professionals from Mimaropa and Calabarzon. -- with reports from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News