House too busy for Senate probe on PI, says Dalipe

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.
From the Facebook post of Zamboanga City Rep. Jose Manuel Dalipe

MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe has begged off from attending a Senate probe on the effectiveness of a People’s Initiative (PI), saying that the lower chamber of Congress has many things to do.

On Monday, Dalipe said that while they appreciate Senator Imee Marcos’ invitation for House members and officials, they cannot attend the Tuesday, January 30 hearing.

Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on electoral reforms, filed a resolution last January 11 to assess the PI’s effectiveness in being a system of initiative and referendum.

“While we appreciate Senator Marcos’ open invitation to the Senate probe, it seems we in the House have our hands full crafting legislation aimed at enhancing the lives of our fellow Filipinos. It’s a demanding task, but someone’s got to do it,” Dalipe said.

“Perhaps while we focus on building bridges, others seem more inclined to hunt for witches. But rest assured, should our legislative schedule allow, we’d be more than willing to engage in fruitful discussions, preferably ones that construct, not deconstruct, our collective efforts for national progress,” he added.

READ: Marcos seeks inquiry on effectiveness of People’s Initiative for Cha-cha 

The PI has been a hot topic among senators and House lawmakers after all 24 senators signed a manifesto rejecting the PI as a mode of amending the 1987 Constitution.

Several senators, including Marcos, accused her cousin, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, of being behind the push for a PI. But House leaders have denied backing the PI, saying they only respect the call of the people.

Romualdez said they would support the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, calling it a welcome development and a possible answer to the prayers of PI backers.

READ: Romualdez: Senate’s RBH 6 may be answer for people’s initiative backers 

Earlier, party leaders at the House also assured the Senate that they do not seek to abolish the upper chamber. Fears of the Senate being disenfranchised arose from the PI seeking joint voting on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Should this be the case, the stand of 24 senators can easily be overwhelmed by over 300 lawmakers in the House.