After the power play at the House of Representatives on Monday, the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines has expressed doubts that Congress can be trusted to pursue the people’s will as they make the move to amend the 1987 Constitution and shift to a federal form of government.
“Given yesterday’s attention-grabbing show, people are asking: Can we trust both the Senate and the House to represent the people’s will, especially in the expected push for Charter change?” the party said in a statement on Tuesday.
LP hailed the 12 representatives who abstained from the power play at the lower house who were all members of their party.
“The decision to abstain was a decision to strengthen the ranks of the minority, whose voice is essential in a strong, working democracy,” it said.
The party criticized Monday’s fiasco, which coincided with President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona).
“The people outside the halls of Congress await for actions on matters that concern them every day: floods and traffic going to and from work, fewer items that can be bought on a salary that was barely raised, and jobs that can actually provide for a decent life for the family,” it said.
“Part of the answer is a stronger minority that represents the people and will work to push for measures to address job creation, higher prices, and poverty alleviation,” it added. /ee
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