Zubiri draws flak from House leaders over constitutional crisis remark

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s warning of a constitutional crisis over ways to amend the 1987 Constitution was not appreciated by some members of the House of Representatives, with one of them calling it an unwarranted “doomsday prediction.”

In a statement on Sunday, House leaders teamed up to express dismay over Zubiri’s focus on the alleged crisis rather than “promoting constructive dialogue” with House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“It is disheartening to see Senate President Zubiri jump to the conclusion of a constitutional crisis instead of embracing the spirit of collaboration put forth by Speaker Romualdez,” House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said.

“We need dialogue, not doomsday predictions,” Dalipe added.

House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said Zubiri’s remarks simply escalate tensions regarding an already controversial matter.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez called Zubiri’s warning “premature.”

“We risk further polarization and gridlock by prematurely labeling the situation as a constitutional crisis,” Suarez said.

“The responsibility lies with both chambers to navigate this complex terrain with prudence and a commitment to the democratic process,” the lawmaker continued.

The congressmen’s statement stems from Zubiri’s response to Romualdez’s letter sent on January 25.

In his letter, Romualdez expressed support for the upper chamber’s Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 which calls for a constituent assembly.

He likewise suggested that the Senate  lead an alternative people’s initiative while a similar campaign from a private group is ongoing.

To this, Zubiri said that a constitutional crisis is “slowly happening” as the two chambers of Congress cannot seem to agree on how to amend the Charter.