By Junex Doronio
MANILA — “Wala kayong pakialam sa PI!’
This was the terse reply of Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday to senators’ “very toxic rhetoric” against him and the House of Representatives in connection with the ongoing signature campaign for People’s Initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution
In a press conference, Romualdez zeroed in on the sluggish performance of the upper chamber in passing the priority legislation of the Marcos Jr. administration.
“Tapos na ang trabaho ng House of Representatives. Tapos na lahat ng assignment. Iyong senador, hindi pa tapos. Tapusin niyo ang trabaho niyo. Naghihintay ang mga Pilipino. Kadugay (you’re slow),” Romualdez said in exasperation.
“Kadugay” is the Visayan term for overdue.
The Speaker from Leyte was asked by reporters why the scheduled Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Thursday (January 25) was postponed.
Romualdez cited the speedy House approval of most of the priority bills of the administration, with only four pending as of this month.
Ironically, Romualdez’s cousin, Senator Imee Marcos, has accused him of going against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s wishes not to pursue PI.
She also alleged that the Speaker was the “brains” behind the PI move.
“Wala kayong pakialam sa PI (people’s initiative),” Romualdez responded. “Trabaho ‘yan ng taumbayan. Ang Congress at senator, ang trabaho, legislation. PI is power of the people,” Romualdez retorted.
(el Amigo/MNM)
