House considers Senate's economic Cha-cha
By Nidz Godino
"Pass your version of RBH 6, where there are no political provisions, only economic provisions, and we will be one with the Senate. We will no longer ask for any debates. No questions asked," House Majority Leader and Zamboanga del Norte 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said at a briefing.
party stalwarts in the House of Representatives urged their Senate counterparts to show their sincerity in introducing economic constitutional reforms by passing Resolution of Both Houses 6, which the congressmen promised to adopt in full.
"If they want, we can even do a blood compact just like what Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said," Dalipe added, noting that senators have always blocked Charter change efforts, even when a constituent assembly was proposed.
"If I will be asked what I will tell the Senate, just pass the RBH of Senator (Juan Miguel) Zubiri so that plebiscite for the people's initiative can no longer be held. It is clear in our law that you cannot have two (plebiscites) in a span of five years," he said over radio dzBB.
Dalipe noted the senators could just move ahead before the completion of people's initiative to end "whatever their reservation and doubts."
"Actually, people's initiative is not a hindrance. People's initiative will also have to pass a referendum. Whoever can pass their first version, that will be decided upon in plebiscite," he added.
Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. recalled that no less than Zubiri promised to President Marcos, as well as the Speaker, that he can have RBH-6 passed, but they were surprised about the senator's total turnaround.
"My worry is just that they may not be able to get the 18 votes needed, just like what he promised us. SP Migz told us he can have it passed by March," he told newsmen, adding this was the agreement, if the people's initiative will be stopped.
Rep. Geraldine Roman of Bataan recalled that many of the senators have been congressmen themselves, and that she wonders why they have reversed themselves now that they have been elected senators, when in truth and in fact, they also supported Cha-cha when they were in House.
"Let's walk the talk. Let's focus our efforts on discussing the RBH-6. Let's not waste time. Let's start the ball rolling. Let's make it happen," she said.
Speaker Martin Romualdez advised his maternal cousin, Senator Imee Marcos, to address the Charter change issue with "utmost respect and civility," reminding her that even children are watching, which means they should be models of good manners and right conduct.
"My plea to Senator Imee, there is no need for disrespect. The youth are listening to us and this is not a good example," he said. "As public servants, our primary focus should always be on the welfare of our constituents and the progress of our nation."
"Let us end the arguments. Let's just work for the sake of our fellow Filipinos," the Leyte congressman added. "In the spirit of unity and cooperation, I am open to engaging in meaningful discussions with Senator Marcos."
"It is through open communication and collaboration that we can best serve the interests of our people. Our nation faces many challenges, and it is more crucial than ever that we, as leaders, set an example of respect, understanding and cooperation," Romualdez said.
As regards the people's initiative that Comelec has now stopped, the House leader clarified that his meeting with PIRMA leader Noel Oñate was an open one, which was done "in the spirit of open dialogue and understanding of civic actions spearheaded by our citizens."
"It is crucial to clarify that while I support the spirit of civic engagement and participatory governance, my involvement in the people's initiative has been purely advisory and in no way extends to mobilizing or leading their signature campaign," the Speaker added.
"As Speaker, I am committed to upholding the principles of democracy and facilitating discussions on matters of national interest. The meeting with the people's initiative representatives was an exercise in this commitment," he said.
At the same time, he denied "any allegations of involvement in unlawful activities such as vote buying related to this or any other initiative."
"Such practices are against my principles and the ethical standards of our government," he said. "I respect the autonomy of the people's initiative and commend their efforts to engage in constitutional discourse. However, as the Speaker, my primary role is to steer legislative actions within the Congress and ensure that all processes are conducted with integrity, fairness and in accordance with our laws."
The Senate has tasked Zubiri to file charges in court over the bribery allegations that hounded the ongoing people's initiative.
The Senate during session yesterday adopted Resolution No. 920 authored by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
The resolution authorized the Senate President "to file, as may be necessary, the appropriate action before the proper tribunal to challenge the constitutionality, validity and irregularities relating to the people's initiative to amend the Constitution."
The Senate authorized Zubiri to "engage the services of counsel/s to prepare the appropriate action and all related pleadings and appear and argue before such tribunal/s for this purpose."
The Senate adopted the resolution hours after its electoral reforms committee investigated the alleged bribery of voters with cash and welfare assistance in exchange for their signatures.
The Senate also mulled filing a petition before the Supreme Court against the gathering and verification of signatures that were allegedly obtained through fraud.
The Senate does not refuse efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution as evidenced by the filing of the Resolutions from Both Houses 6 (RBH6), Zubiri said yesterday in response to Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, who claimed the Senate refused to act on initiatives of the House of Representatives.
"Of all the initiatives taken by the House to engage you as a constituent assembly, all these initiatives have been refused. We don't have anything yet, we haven't met yet," Marcoleta said at yesterday's public hearing of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people's participation.
Zubiri immediately refuted Marcoleta's assertion.
"As Senate President, as the leader of this institution, I can categorically state that we have not refused any measures. As a matter of fact, I filed last week RBH 6 which is to discuss economic provisions of the Constitution," Zubiri pointed out.
But Marcoleta said Zubiri's decision changed three days after he filed RBH 6, something the Senate leader denied.
"For the record, did I ever say I'm no longer pursuing this? Please cite the record that I said I will no longer pursue this," Zubiri said.
"I would like to correct the misconception of Cong. Marcoleta. We are just fighting this people's initiative first, because this PI, this fake people's pnitiative, is going to undermine the processes of voting during the discussions of constitutional change."
Again, Zubiri emphasized that they will not allow the Senate to be "killed" because bicameralism will disappear when the PI is pursued.
"We will not allow the Senate to be abolished because the bicameralism that is stipulated five times in our Constitution and provides for the checks and balances of our institution will disappear," he added.
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