Lawmaker demands apology from colleague for drug point crack
By The Star Staff
New Progressive Party (NPP) Rep. Gabriel Rodríguez Aguiló on Wednesday demanded an apology from his Popular Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart Rep. Orlando Aponte Rosario after the latter allegedly insinuated, in the middle of a debate on House Bill 1037 on the decriminalization of simple possession of marijuana, that the Ciales home of the NPP legislator operates as a “drug point.”
During the debate, the PDP legislator allegedly made the accusation, which led to a brawl that required the intervention of the sergeant of arms.
“My demand is a public apology,” Rodríguez Aguiló said in a radio interview. “They asked me to allow time until next Monday in the session to attend to the case. On Monday, I hope that the legislator [Aponte Rosario] has the courage to accept his mistake and apologize to my family and me for what he said.”
Rodríguez Aguiló did not rule out referring the matter to the House Ethics Committee.
The marijuana bill was defeated 26 votes against, 19 in favor and two abstentions.