FILE PHOTO: Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin believes that “some” sectors are taking their time on the proposed economic Charter change, hoping it would just be buried in the noise of the 2025 election. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin suspected that some sectors are taking their time on the proposed economic Charter change, hoping it would just be buried in the noise of the 2025 election.
During a press conference Tuesday, Garin was asked if the House of Representatives has a Plan B in case the Senate fails to act on time regarding Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which calls for amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
The question was raised based on the premise that the Senate would now focus on the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) priority bills and refrain from holding Charter change hearings in the meantime.
“The House is geared towards adapting the Senate version. Although it is lacking, it’s a lot better than nothing. So that is the intention of our Majority Leader. As of now, we do not have a Plan B because based on our understanding, we still believe that the Senate is sincere in performing their duty to the people,” Garin told reporters.
“And I believe it’s best to call a spade a spade. If they do not want it, tell us. If they want it, then talk about it, because it is hard to say that you are in favor, then you do not want to talk about it. We really have to be very transparent to our people […] I think there are some who are praying that the economic Cha-cha talks will be forgotten when the campaign season starts,” added the Deputy Majority Leader.
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Other lawmakers like Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Khalid Dimaporo said they still have faith that the Senate would act on its promise of passing RBH No. 6 — especially since time is supposedly running out.
“So, I really hope and I have faith in the Senate. They are an independent institution. But I really hope that this is not dribble-dribble politics. At the very least, the Filipino voters deserve to know how our senators stand. It’s not busy-busy kami (it’s not we are busy),” Dimaporo said.
“Now, if you think about it, when we adjourn (Wednesday), we return by (April 29). I think we only have one month. Then, we have a long break (May 25 to July 21). Then, it’s SONA (President’s State of the Nation Address). After SONA, it’s the budget (season) and we’re all very busy with the budget,” he said.
Dimaporo also said that once October arrives, politicians would be busy filing their certificates of candidacy — which further necessitates the need for the Senate to work on RBH No. 6 by the Holy Week.
“What we hope to see is that the Senate is tackling it in the plenary before the next SONA. Otherwise, it will be too late,” he stressed.
“Where does Senator Robin Padilla stand, he’s a staunch nationalist figure, a proud Filipino. Where does Senator Pia Cayetano stand? When it comes to, for example, the education sector being open up to foreigners?” Dimaporo asked. “Filipino voters need to know exactly where their senators stand.”
Garin said if Congress does not come up with a consolidated proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution, the people might take it upon themselves to push for changes through a People’s Initiative.
“But Congress, me, myself, me personally, we won’t allow that. I mean, if Congress cannot do it, let the people judge our government officials. But it’s really best that Congress sticks… that the Senate sticks to its commitment of tackling RBH 6 within the month of March,” she said.
“Let me repeat it. We have no Plan B, but this is my personal view: If the Senate really refrains from discussing this, let’s give it to the people. Revive the People’s Initiative because both us, lawmakers of the House and the senators, would not be in our posts if not for the people,” she also said.
The People’s Initiative (PI) first gained traction in January, a month after Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales opened the possibility of hearing Charter change proposals.
However, since the Senate failed to act on the House’s RBH No. 6, Gonzales said they might entertain PI proposals. Eventually, senators feared that the PI would abolish the Senate.
In response, the Senate filed its own version of RBH No. 6, which seeks amendments to the Constitution’s economic provisions on public utilities, basic education, and advertising.
Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s advice, the House obeyed and deliberated RBH No. 7 – which was derived from the Senate’s RBH No. 6.
With the passage of RBH No. 7 on second reading last March 13 – and possibly on third reading before Congress goes on a break for the Holy Week – legislators have expressed concerns about the slow pace of Senate deliberations.
On Monday, Deputy Speaker David Suarez called on leaders of the House and Senate to meet during the Holy Week break to discuss next steps amid fears that Congress may be running out of time to amend the 1987 Constitution.