ON Monday, February 5th, hearings on the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 commenced in the Senate, in a bid to ease the economic restrictions of the 1987 Constitution to open up the Philippine economy to foreign investors.
However, senators are adamant and view October as the deadline for hearings.
But the House opposed this move.
According to House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, the chances of Economic Cha-Cha passing will become slim if it reaches October, which is the time for filing candidacies for the 2025 mid-term elections.
“What we are afraid of— I will be direct— is that the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy of all officials running for the mid-term will be in October,” according to Rep. Jose Dalipe, House Majority Leader.
Dalipe also emphasized the importance of passing the amendment to the constitution in the first half of the Marcos administration.
He mentioned that in their experience, it has never happened in Philippine history that Charter Change (Cha-Cha) discussions have occurred in the last three years of the incumbent president’s term.
“For example, the Senate is a bit busy with their investigations, what more here in the House? When it comes to it, the campaign fever will hit before October and that is our worry. So we would want to fast track it. If possible, now,” Dalipe added.
Meanwhile, congressmen are furious with senators over the issue of the People’s Initiative (PI).
According to Senator Imee Marcos, it’s clear from the evidence that Speaker Martin Romualdez is behind PI.
For Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, the true meaning of PI is Politicians Initiative, not People’s Initiative.
“In our all-member caucus held last week, our fellow congressmen expressed intense anger. They are angry about the disrespect shown by some senators, our speaker, and the House of Representatives,” according to Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Senior Deputy Speaker.
Senators are criticized for belittling their mandate.
The House also criticized senators for comparing their votes with those of congressmen in elections.
Gonzales proudly stated that many congressmen today are running unopposed.
“So if you are going to extrapolate the numbers you garner and the numbers we garnered, our percentage is higher. If you are unopposed, meaning to say 100% of your entire constituency love and respect you,” Gonzales added.
To clarify matters, Majority Leader Dalipe challenged the senators to publicly declare who among them is in favor or against updating the Constitution, especially since all proposals to change or amend the Constitution are considered dead on arrival in the Senate.
“Who among the senators is in favor of amending to update the 37-year-old constitution and who is against, and the people of the Philippines will decide whom to put in the Senate,” Dalipe said.
