MANILA, Philippines —Opposition bet Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III on Wednesday urged the Senate to maintain its independence amid the House of Representatives’ approval of charter change.
“It is high time that we bring in an independent Senate that is free from any form of influence, follows their wisdom and their heart in fulfilling their promises, and more than anything, faithful to the mandate and obligations bestowed upon them when they got elected by the people,” Tañada said in a statement.
READ: House approves charter change
Tañada issued the statement after the House approved on third and final reading the controversial federal charter or the Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 last Tuesday.
He criticized the Congress, saying it would follow orders of the Duterte administration to approve charter change and the martial law extension in Mindanao.
“Congress danced the Chacha and worked on the extension of Martial Law as ordered by the administration,” he said.
Tañada noted that an independent Senate must stop the federal charter which would allow “Arroyo’s minions” in power.
“Let us not follow their dance and choreography. This is Gloria’s [and] her minions’ Chacha to keep them in power. As long as the Senate remains independent, let us continue to deny them the victory they aspire,” he said.
The draft charter has a provision that allows the President and Vice President to be elected in tandem, both with a four-year term and one re-election.
It does not have any provision for banning political dynasties in the country.
RBH 15 also allow members of the Congress to be elected to a four-year term, with no limits on re-election.
Under the draft charter, the first election is set for the second Monday of 2022. /ee
READ: Draft federal Charter gets House’s final nod