Sotto: Senators may stonewall on proposed shorter term

Senate President Vicente Sotto III (File photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday slammed a new proposal at the House of Representatives that, among other things, seeks to shorten the tenure of senators from the current six years to four years.

“[Constitutional] amendments din ‘yan eh. Bakit ba mainit sila sa Senate?” Sotto said in a message to reporters.

[That’s a constitutional amendment. Why are they zeroing in on the Senate?]

Sotto then shared his “fearless forecast” on whether or not the bill will be passed in the Senate, saying: “At the rate some people are focusing on the Senate, senators will stonewall.”

The proposal in question — House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 filed by Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez — seeks to amend portions of the 1987 Constitution.

The bill proposes that senators will only serve for four years and be able to run for three consecutive terms.

At present, senators serve for six years and can run for two consecutive terms.

The proposal also increases the number of senators from 24 to 27 and requires that three senators should come from each of these nine regions: National Capital Region, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

READ: House proposes longer term for its members, local execs

“Compare the ratings of the HOR [House of Representatives] and the Senate then tell me if we need changing,” Sotto ended his message.

He was referring to the ratings reflecting the result of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed him maintaining a “very good” score.

READ: SWS: Robredo, Arroyo’s net satisfaction ratings dip; Sotto scores ‘very good’

/atm