Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Seven lawmakers opposed Monday a move to reconsider the House of Representatives’ approval of a bill seeking to institutionalize the agreement between the Department of National Defense (DND) and the University of the Philippines (UP) prohibiting any military and police presence inside its campuses without prior notice.
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, seven authors of House Bill No. 10171 manifested their opposition to the motion made by Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla to reconsider the approval of the measure.
Those who signed the letter are Kabayaan Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago; Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate, Ferdinand Gaite, and Eufemia Cullamat; ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro; Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas; and Quezon City 6th District Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte.
What happened before?
During its session on Sept. 21, the lower chamber unanimously approved the measure on final reading.
However, on Sept. 30, Remulla moved that the bill be reconsidered. The House approved the motion.
The seven lawmakers said that Remulla’s motion was “invalid,” citing Section 106 of the House rules.
Under that section, when a measure, report, or motion is approved, adopted, or lost, a member who voted with the majority may move for its reconsideration on the same or succeeding session day.
“Five session days had already passed since the deadline on September 22, thereby making the reconsideration INVALID,” the seven lawmakers said.
“Thus, we would like to put this manifestation on record in the Journal for September 30m and request that the move for reconsideration of HB 10171 be declared null and void,” they added.
A look at the website of the House shows that the measure was transmitted to the Senate on Sept. 22 for its action.
However, a remark is also attached to the measure stating its plenary action on House was being reconsidered.
What the bill states
The bill seeks to institutionalize the UP-DND accord prohibiting any military and police presence inside its campuses without prior notice.
Under the agreement, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies cannot enter any UP campus or regional units, except in cases of hot pursuit and similar situations or emergencies.
Law enforcement agencies planning to conduct operations on any UP campus should first notify also notify the campus president, the chancellor, or the dean.
These agencies are also forbidden from interfering with peaceful protest actions on any UP campus.