HOUSE FAVORS SEPARATE VOTING ON ECONOMIC CHA-CHA

By Junex Doronio

MANILA —  As tension gripped the Senate due to rumors of a “coup” that may topple Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri from his position, three stalwarts of the House of Representatives disclosed on Thursday (07 March 2024) that they will consider amending its Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 to expressly provide for separate voting on proposed economic amendments if the Upper Chamber agrees to prioritize economic Cha-cha (Charter change).

“It is pride…of course, the Senate would like to call itself a separate body. There is no problem with that [having a provision for separate voting] if the Senate has adequate numbers. They should act with expediency because the intention of economic Cha-cha is flexibility, so the government can immediately respond to challenges,” House Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin of Iloilo stressed in a press conference with Lanao del Sur lawmaker Zia Adiong and Quezon City representative Marvin Rillo.

This was her terse reply when asked if the House is amenable to amending RBH 7 given that the Senate’s counterpart economic Cha-cha RBH 6 explicitly states that the House and the Senate will vote separately on proposed constitutional amendments in a constitutional assembly (con-ass).

RBH 6 and RBH 7 both seek to lift the 40% limit on foreign ownership in vital industries such as public utilities, education, and advertising sectors.

“We will cross the bridge when it comes [to that point]. But this is something that we all members of the House and members of the Senate should sit down and work together on. But if the Senate will act promptly on economic Cha-cha, this [lack of separate voting provision] should not be a nuance,” Garin said.

For his part, Adiong said the House’s consistent position that it is only after amending the economic provisions of the Constitution should already assure the senators that there is no ulterior motive on the part of the House.

“We have been consistent since Day 1. We have put privacy on discussions on economic Cha-cha, and you saw the seriousness of our commitment to the President. We want to translate that to action and fully embrace the possibility of improving the lives of Filipinos as we see fit,” Adiong stressed.

Rillo commented that amending the RBH 7 at this point would be premature with the Senate yet to be on board economic Cha-cha.

“We will cross the bridge when we get there. Wala namang bagay na hindi napagkakasunduan, but let us do our part first, let the Senate do theirs by approving the amendments to the economic provision. Then, madali na pag-usapan iyong separate voting,” Rillo said, echoing Garin.

(el Amigo/MNM)