The legislature yesterday refused to take up a proposal to turn PFP lawmaker Diane Lee (
DPP Legislator Peter Lin (
PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES
"The bill will be set aside due to protest [from PFP lawmakers]," ruled Vice Legislative Speaker Chiang Ping-kun (
Under legislative rules, opposition from a single lawmaker suffices to block the introduction of any extraordinary bills.
Lin said he would ask his colleagues to endorse his initiative and file it through regular procedures next week.
"The legislature will have trouble defending its decision today if the court finds Lee guilty of libel later," he said.
Earlier, Twu, acting head of the Department of Health, filed libel suits against Lee and her constituent Cheng Ko-jung (
The two had mistakenly accused Twu of making forceful sexual advances on Cheng during a KTV party on Aug. 6.
Lin said he will carry on with the campaign to punish Lee and her PFP colleague Yang Fu-mei (
Yang said she could not provide any evidence of the sexual encounter as she learned of it through the grapevine.
TSU lawmaker Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) said that malignant rumormongers such as Lee and Yang should be punished. He noted that the legislature stood behind Lee when she was physically attacked by former independent colleague Lo Fu-chu (羅福助) in March last year.
"Lo Fu-chu was later suspended from the legislature for six months. Now Lee should face the consequences of her mistake in a gracious manner," the TSU legislator said.
Lee, while apologetic, has showed no intention of stepping down in the face or pressure to do so.
She did not make any public appearances yesterday. Aides said she was making preparations for a court hearing today.
Observers say it is unlikely for the legislature to adopt any disciplinary measures against Lee, as her party and the KMT have vowed to kill any such proposal.
Together, the two caucuses enjoy a slight edge, 19-17, in the Procedure Committee where the legislative calendar is decided.
PFP Legislator Lee Ching-hua (李慶華), elder brother of Diane Lee, said his sister, gripped by a deep sense of guilt, has slept very little for the past week. He called on her critics to be forgiving, saying his sister is generally recognized as one of Taiwan's best lawmakers.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS