Angara rejects suggestion to directly transmit RBH 7 to Comelec

Sen. Sonny Angara during the interpellation in the Senate on Nov. 29, 2023. (Joseph Vidal / OSEC-Social Media Unit)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sonny Angara on Monday asserted the “bicameral system” of both chambers of Congress, noting the need for measures passed by either house to be transmitted to the other and not any other agencies.

Angara’s remark came after House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe suggested that Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) — which mimicked the upper chamber’s RBH 6 containing specific economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution – be directly forwarded to the Commission on Elections for their consideration.

Angara said the correct move is to transmit an approved measure to its counterpart chamber.

“With due respect I think the correct procedure in our bicameral system is to transmit any resolutions or bills passed by either house to the other house,” said Angara in a text message.

“Similar to what they did with previous resolutions, including those dealing with Charter change,” he emphasized.

Resumption of Cha-cha talks in Senate

Angara, chairperson of the Senate’s subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, is currently leading Charter change (Cha-cha) talks in the Senate through RBH 6

It was made pursuant to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ‘s directive for the Senate to review restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.

As for Cha-cha talks in the Senate, Angara said it would resume after the chamber’s lenten break.

“[We will discuss it] after because this week is for Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council bills like procurement reform and others,” he explained.