BATTLING PAIR : (l-r) Opposition Hrpp leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi with Speaker Papali’i Taeu Masepa’u
By Staff Writer
A subtle change in battle front appears to be taking shape in the ongoing bitter clash between the opposition HRPP leader and Speaker of Parliament.
This time artillery fire from both sides are being launched through press releases, to inflict wider image damages in public opinions.
The most recent is by Speaker Papali’i Taeu Masepa’u, defending his role and duties in the House and the right to issue press releases.
“There is no law nor parliamentary provision that prohibits the Speaker from publishing Press Releases that I’m to inform the public of certain matters particularly those Parliament is involved in,” Papali’i claimed on Wednesday 21 February 2024.
His media release was in direct response to an earlier Letter to the Editor by the former Prime Minister and opposition leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, last week.
Tuilaepa in his media release chastised the Speaker for stepping out of his assigned role to “chair the meeting of Parliament, FULL STOP.”
“If the Speaker wants to participate in the debate, leave the chair and become an ordinary MP,” Tuilaepa wrote.
Angry exchanges between the pair dates all the way back to 2022 when Papali’i master-minded the suspension of Tuilaepa and HRPP general secretary MP Lealailepule from Parliament.
At first it was for an indefinite period until it as changed to two and a half year, on allegations of conducts unbecoming in Parliament for the two MPs.
But the opposition leaders took legal actions against their suspension and the Supreme Court rejected the Speaker’s ruling.
Papali’i appealed the ruling in the Appeals Court but was tossed out.
The court rulings, however, has failed to end the ‘bad blood’ that is now coursing through the battling veins on both sides.
The Speaker appears relentless with his pursuits by proclaiming that he will seek passage for Parliament to pass a new Act of Law to police against members bringing disrepute to the House.
He asserted in his press release his independence and his duty to… “protect the supremacy and the honorableness of Parliament.”
Tuilaepa was also criticised for taking the “…lead in disrespecting the position of the Speaker” exposing it to ridicule with his criticisms.
“To ridicule the person who holds the position, in not a problem, but the literal position of Speaker – a presiding officer…..should be revered by all Members of Parliament.”
One of the points the opposition leader has been vocal of against, is the Speaker’s demonstrated lack of independence by taking sides in the debate.
“ A Speaker must remember at all times the need for the Chair to remain unbiased.
“The Rule of Law meanwhile requires all lawmakers to observe the Constitution – especially the Executive and Parliament.”
The ‘Battle of Press Releases’ is unlikely to end any time soon with unresolved issues still lingering to spark more verbal punch-ups between the circling opponents.