When the Budget was presented 10 days ago – it took two hours to read – which may have been a modern record. But as long as that was – it’s like a sprint when compared to the marathon budget debate which started today. Two days on the parliamentary calendar are set aside for the customarily combative back and forth between the members on both sides of the floor. But to make sure the combat was confined to parliamentary terms, the Speaker Emil Arguelles gave a cautionary outline first – just to make sure that the members didn’t injure the reputations of any “innocent” animals.
Emil Arguelles, Speaker of the House of Representatives
“No more shouting across the aisle for other members to shut up, please move the point of order and I will attend to it. Reading of speeches when not required when before I had always allowed in spite of the orders. No insulting or offensive references to members of the House and worst, members of their families. These include but are not limited to the following words; idiot, liar, thief, contrabandita, or any references to innocent animals which both sides have utilized from time to time.”
