TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming declined to comment Thursday (May 23) on whether President Lai Ching-te would deliver a state of the nation address to the Legislative Yuan. He emphasized that he respects the president's decision.
Ker believes that the president is the guardian of the Constitution and no one can resist it. He also mentioned that Lai's response so far, from the election to the present, is that he would come to the Legislative Yuan "under legal and constitutional circumstances."
Ker pointed out that the president is responsible for appointing the Premier to deliver a policy report to the Legislative Yuan and answer questions. Legislators have the right to question the Premier. He also referred to Article 4 of the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of China, which stipulates that the Legislative Yuan "may" listen to the president's state of the nation report during its annual session.
Ker said that opposition party legislators are now creating laws to criminalize contempt of Congress and false statements. He warned that the president will face a lawsuit after leaving office, which he considered illogical. Ker urged the opposition not to undermine the constitution and create chaos.