Hontiveros still on race to get 7 votes vs Cha-cha | Inquirer News

‘Ball is very much in play’: Hontiveros on race to get 7 votes vs Cha-cha

By: - Reporter / @MAgerINQ
/ 01:54 PM February 15, 2024

PHOTO: Sen. Risa Hontiveros STORY: ‘Ball is very much in play’: Hontiveros on race to get 7 votes vs Cha-cha

Senator Risa Hontiveros (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros vowed on Thursday to “work hard” to get at least seven votes in the Senate to block the fresh Charter change (Cha-cha) bid.

So far, Hontiveros said she and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III were against the Resolution of Both Houses No.6 (RBH6).

Article continues after this advertisement

The resolution seeks to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution and is currently being tackled by the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments.

FEATURED STORIES

“I stand for no to Cha-cha as of now. The minority [senators] also stand for no to amending the economic provisions of the Constitution. I just feel that we have colleagues in the majority, based on their body language, that they don’t fully support Resolution of Both Houses No. 6,” Hontiveros said, speaking partly in a mix of Filipino and English, at the regular “Kapihan sa Senado.”

Article continues after this advertisement

“Let us remember: They need three-fourths of the Senate to approve RHB6. This means they need to muster 18 votes, which means we need only seven votes to block it,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement

“So the ball is very much in play, and we will work hard. We can manage to gather enough votes even against RBH 6.”

Article continues after this advertisement

At present, however, Hontiveros could not give an initial count of senators inclined to go against the resolution.

READ: Some senators worry about opening public utilities to foreigners

Article continues after this advertisement

“But the very confident or overconfident statement made at the beginning of RHB6 that they already have 18 is highly in doubt,” she said.

The resolution was initiated by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and Sen. Sonny Angara to stop a people’s initiative for Cha-cha.

Some senators alleged that money changed hands in exchange for the PI signatures. This allegation is now being investigated by the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: charter change, Risa Hontiveros, Senate

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.