Recurrent badmouthing on the legislative floor has prompted lawmakers to reconsider abolishing a one-hour speech session used by DPP legislator Lin Chung-mo (林重謨) recently to launch a tirade against independent legislator-elect Sisy Chen (陳文茜).
DPP lawmaker Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) has draw up a bill to do away with the session in the hope of improving the legislature's tainted image.
He will seek endorsement from his fellow colleagues today when the ruling party convenes its first caucus meeting after the legislative polls.
"Hopefully, the proposed reform will pass this time around," said Wang's aide, Cheng Tao-lung (鄭道隆). "Discarding the forum will not in any way abridge the rights of individual members, as it has no substantial impact on lawmaking."
The hour-long forum, installed in 1993, allows up to 20 legislators three minutes each to comment on public affairs before the lawmaking body gets down to business. It is held from 9am to 10am every Tuesday and Friday
But over the years, it has been used as a stage for political sideshows where lawmakers even sing songs to scoff government officials and level unsubstantiated charges against their foes.
The more sensational their performance, the more likely their stunts are to make news headlines.
A week ago, for example, Lin made headlines by calling Chen a "prostitute" who has unfairly attacked the DPP government during her talk shows.
The criticism raised an immediate uproar, with lawmakers from across party lines demanding that Lin apologizes and be turned over to the Discipline Committee.
"The public outcry is conducive to the overhaul," Cheng said, optimistic that those who are due to retire in early February will endorse the bill.
"Having nothing to lose, they [outgoing legislators] should be open to reform," he said. Over 50 incumbents failed to retain their seats after the Dec. 1 elections.
Tired of the recurring incidence of emotional speeches, the People First Party's legislative caucus said yesterday that it would stop competing for a berth in the session. Only those who arrive first are awarded a three-minute slot.
"The session, intended for open debate on policy issues, has been reduced to a stage for colleagues to dump dirt on their political enemies," said PFP legislative leader Chou Hsi-wei (周錫瑋). "We will not take part in the forum, we will push to see that it is abolished."
To that end, the PFP caucus is to call on Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) tomorrow to seek his support in scrapping the session, Chou said.
"Lawmakers can always make their opinions known via public hearings, news conferences and other events."
Lawmaker Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) meanwhile reiterated that she would make a second attempt later this week to have Lin punished.
Lin said he would boycott the motion and urged his critics to stop capitalizing on the war of words which he unintentionally sparked.
Though unhappy with his offensive remarks, the DPP caucus is not ready to call for his punishment.
"Never before has any lawmaker been disciplined for making insults inside the legislative chamber," DPP legislative whip Tsai Huang-liang (蔡煌瑯) said. "I find it better to leave the tradition intact for the sake of freedom of speech."
KMT legislative leader Lee Cheng-chong (李正宗) echoed similar concerns. He painted the campaign to eliminate the forum simply because a few lawmakers abuse their freedom of speech as a reckless move.
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