Sunstar photo courtesy
MANILA — The Senate has canceled its invitation to the chairman of the House constitutional amendments committee to today’s hearing on the resolution calling for a constitutional convention (ConCon) to propose changes in the Charter’s economic provisions.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is supposed to appear before the committee of his Senate counterpart, Sen. Robinhood Padilla.
“I am disappointed, After inviting me last March 14, I received last night a notice of cancellation from the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes. I was already prepared to go to the Senate today at 10 am to present to the senators the basis of our RBH 6 and HB 7352 which were all data-driven, evidence-based, and future-proof,” he said.
He was referring to Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which calls for the convening of a constitutional convention to propose changes in the Charter’s economic provisions, and House Bill No. 7352, which implements the resolution.
Rodriguez said there was no reason given for the cancellation of his appearance before Padilla’s in the notice he received.
He said he read from the media the assurances of Sen. Robinhood Padilla, his Senate counterpart, that today’s hearing would be held as scheduled.
Padilla told a news conference on Friday that aside from Rodriguez, he had requested other House members to attend his panel’s hearing.
He also appealed to other senators to listen to what congressmen would say.
“I wish members of the Senate would listen to what the [House members] are pushing for. I just want to be fair. I don’t want the House to think that I prevented their efforts,” he said.
Padilla added that he hoped other senators would find time to listen to constitutional economic reform advocates in the House.
(Amado Inigo/MTVN)
