In calling on House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to step down from his leadership role as a result of Bonusgate, state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10th, made an important statement, but one that could come back to haunt him if DeWeese survives the growing chorus imploring him to resign.

Loyalty to one's political party leadership is a big component of legislative service in Harrisburg. The fallout from Gibbons' request could be in terms of money allocated to his district, as well as to new, more important positions of responsibility within the House.

But Gibbons, a freshman legislator who faces his first re-election challenge this fall, by way of his statement delivered the message that he regards as first and foremost that the General Assembly operate within the law, within proper rules of conduct and that it not be distracted by members' individual problems.

That's an important statement amid the growing erosion of confidence that the Bonusgate scandal is spawning among state residents.

Indeed, DeWeese, who has denied involvement in and knowledge of the illegal actions surrounding Bonusgate, should give serious consideration to at least relinquishing his leadership position, although one Democratic lawmaker has asked DeWeese to withdraw from his re-election race as well.

That lawmaker is Rep. David Levdansky of Elizabeth, who said, "A true leader does not unnecessarily put his troops directly in harm's way for purely personal gain."

Levdansky's comments came in the aftermath of a message delivered by Deputy House Speaker Josh Shapiro, D-Montomery, that DeWeese should resign as the Democrats' leader.

Shapiro, who did not ask DeWeese to resign from his House seat or withdraw from his re-election race, said, "We need leaders who are committed to transformation reform."

Even if DeWeese is being entirely honest in his denial of knowledge of Bonusgate activities, that lack of knowledge delivers another message: that his lack of leadership allowed the scandal to take place.

DeWeese must face that, with or without knowledge of what was happening when it was happening, he as a leader must ultimately share in the responsibility for this detestable chapter in state government history.

"When I return to Harrisburg this fall, I look forward to working on substantive legislation on many important issues, including affordable health care, rising energy costs and expanding property tax relief," Gibbons said.

"Mr. DeWeese's continued presence as Majority Leader would be a distraction to those goals," he added.

Unfortunately for DeWeese, that observation is unquestionably on target.