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)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Even Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has attested that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez “is too focused on his work” belying allegations made by former Malacañang spokesperson Harry Roque that the head of the 316-strong House of Representatives is behind the “anti-Duterte” resolutions at the lower chamber of Congress.

Saying that it was purely speculation on the part of FPRRD’s former spokesperson, Romualdez said he respects Roque’s thoughts and opinions.

“I’ve come up with statements about this earlier. But our good friend, former secretary Harry Roque must have thoughts that well, his ideas. We respect his thoughts and opinions. But they’re not accurate,” Romualdez pointed out on Friday, November 24.

He added: “There’s nothing to it. A lot of speculation. But none of that is true.”

Roque earlier accused Romualdez of calling the shots behind the House resolutions urging the Philippine government to support the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

“The Speaker’s focused on his work,” Zubiri said.

Human rights groups claimed that 30,000 people were killed in the course of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Romualdez also brushed off perceptions that the House of Representatives is prioritizing the pro-ICC resolutions.

“We have to read out these bills and resolutions and we have to act on the same. And we have to be sensitive and responsive to the, mga hinaing po ng ating mga kongresista. So, we have to look at it one at a time and within the context of the current events and that’s where we lead it. We don’t read much into it what other people do. Nonetheless, they are still entitled to their own views,” the Speaker explained.

(ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Citing the successful and secure hosting of the Philippines in the recently concluded FIBA World Cup where no untoward incidents were recorded, Senator Sonny Angara has brushed off the proverbial security nightmare in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF31).

Still, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri does not want to see any untoward incidents as the Philippines will host the 31st annual meeting of the APPF31 from November 23 to 26 this year.

“We need the help of the office of the (Department of Interior and Local Governments) Secretary, together with the Chief PNP (Philippine National Police), because we must ensure the safety of more than 300 legislators and their delegations to prevent any untoward incidents,” Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.

He has asked for the assistance of the DILG and PNP in ensuring the safety and protection of Asia-Pacific legislators attending the APPF31.

Zubiri made the appeal during the plenary deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget of the DILG and its attached agencies on Thursday evening, which was attended by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos and PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr.

(ai/mnm)