Does Bertiz serve Hong Kong’s Filipino workers ... or recruiters?
Videos showing the congressman, who represents the migrant workforce, losing his temper have angered the public, but allegations about conflicts of interest may leave a darker stain on his reputation
Congressman Ancieto “John” Bertiz – from the Alliance for Community Transformation-Overseas Filipino Workers, which has had a seat in parliament since 2016 – first sparked public anger when a video of him at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport went public late last month. When asked to take off his shoes, standard procedure for anyone going through airport security, Bertiz first ignored the officer, then proceeded to rudely boast about his credentials as a representative of migrants’ rights while shoving his identification in the officer’s face. As a final insult, he grabbed the officer’s identification.
The video went viral, moving even lawmakers to comment on his actions. “Being a member of congress is not a licence to act indecently,” said Senator JV Ejercito. Days later, Bertiz publicly apologised, but his words appeared more an attempt to justify himself – he claimed the airport was being too lenient towards “Chinese nationals” and too hard on Filipinos.
But Bertiz wasn’t done yet. He then irked women’s groups when he tried to play down the incident, saying: “For the past three years I have been a member of congress, and maybe once a year I get my monthly period.” Lawmakers from the Gabriela Women’s Party labelled him a “misogynist”, retorting: “It’s your arrogance, not our monthly period.”
Congress voted to reprimand Bertiz, but as this was his first offence, his actions did not yet warrant a suspension or expulsion from the House of Representatives, according to the House minority leader.
