By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano called the recent approval by the House of Representatives of a P1,000 budget for the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) a “political statement.”
In a radio interview yesterday morning, Paduano said his vote was in the name “delicadeza,” and noted he does not bear any grudge against CHR as a whole.
The legislator added, CHR chairman Chito Gascon should resign from office, calling his leadership at the agency the primary issue, saying he mixed politics with the CHR agenda.
Earlier this week, during their regular session, the House of Representatives approved the P1,000 budget for CHR, with 119 in favor and 32 against.
The entire Negros congressional delegation voted yes on the measure, with the exception of Negros Oriental first district Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, who called the move “very oppressive.”/WDJ