MANILA – AGRI Party List Representative Wilbert Lee is currently facing an ethics complaint, filed on Monday by Marikina 2nd District Representative Stella Quimbo and BHW Party List Representative Angelica Natasha Co.
The complaint alleges that Lee violated House rules, which require members to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the House of Representatives.
According to Quimbo and Co, the incident occurred during the September 25 plenary session on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Health. They claim that Lee exhibited improper behavior during the session.
The complaint detailed how Lee allegedly “furiously approached” Quimbo and Co as they were presenting the budget, coming within a close distance and pointing at them with “malicious intent,” while threatening to cause trouble if he wasn’t allowed to speak.
Quimbo said that Lee had already been given the opportunity to interpellate two days earlier, on September 23.
“Kami ay naging subjects of his acts of aggression… I knew based on his hand movements, he was intending to come towards me.
Nakikita ko na sa mukha niya na mayroong form of aggression,” said Quimbo.
She recounted that Lee threatened, “Kung hindi niyo ako pasasalitain, manggugulo ako,” while pointing at her. Quimbo added that she was so alarmed she had to duck behind the podium.
Quimbo also revealed that Co fainted from stress shortly after the incident.
“Maraming hindi nakakaalam na dahil sa sobrang stress po namin, an hour later, nahimatay actually si Cong. Nica…,” she said, explaining that their reaction was out of fear, not relief.
Co echoed the sentiment, noting that Lee’s proximity made her feel unsafe for the first time in the chamber.
She also criticized the circulation of edited videos on social media, which portrayed her and Quimbo in a negative light.
The two lawmakers called on the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges to take action against Lee for what they described as “unparliamentary behavior.”
Quimbo stated that while Lee had sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Elizaldy Co explaining his behavior, she has yet to receive a personal apology.
Lee, in a statement, expressed respect for the complaint but clarified that he did not intend to harm or bully anyone.
He attributed his actions to his passionate advocacy for reforms in the Department of Health and PhilHealth, specifically to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs for Filipinos.
“Iginagalang po natin ito bilang karapatan ng kapwa natin mambabatas,” he said, while awaiting a formal copy of the complaint to respond.