Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero talks with reporters on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. (Photo from BIBO NUEVA ESPAÑA / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The controversial divorce bill and Charter change (Cha-cha) are among the topics that will be discussed by Senate President Chiz Escudero and House Speaker Martin Romualdez when they hold a meeting in June.
READ: Escudero to meet Romualdez to mend Senate-House ties
Escudero confirmed the agenda to reporters on Wednesday, although he clarified that he does not want to preempt what their talk will cover.
“Huwag nyong pangunahan yung pag-uusap namin. At saka ang divorce, sa palagay ko ay hindi ko kabisado ang bilang kung ilan ba talaga ang pabor o kontra, at hindi naman nakaukit sa bato yan,” said the Senate leader.
(Do not preempt what our discussions will be. Besides, in terms of the divorce, I don’t think I am familiar with the votes on how many are in favor or against it, but this is not set in stone.)
“Dahil gaya nga ng sabi ko, kung papayag at bubuksan yan sa panahon ng pag-amiyenda, hindi natin malalaman kung madadagdagan o mababawasan ang sumusuporta sa panukalang divorce,” he explained.
“Because, similar to what I said – if it reaches the period of amendments, we wouldn’t know if support for the proposed divorce bill grow or if it will be lessened.)
When he was asked once again if Cha-cha and divorce would be among the issues that he and Romualdez would discuss, he answered in Filipino, “It’s among the topics that will be tackled. I am certain.”
According to the Senate president, the meeting will pave the way for both chambers of Congress to implement their plans, taking into account the individual points of view of lawmakers.
“Sa simpleng pananaw at lohika, nabanggit ko sa kanya — bakit sasayangin ng Kamara ang panahon nila sa isang bagay na hindi naman nais ng mayorya ng Senado?” Escudero recalled.
(Through a simple point of view and logic that I mentioned to him — why would Congress waste its time on things that the majority of the Senate wouldn’t want?)
“Bakit din namin sasayangin ang oras namin sa isang bagay na hindi naman gusto at nais ng Kamara?” he asked.
(Why would we also waste our time on something that Congress doesn’t want?)
“Mas nais naming pagtuunan ng pansin yung mga pwedeng pagkasunduan ng Kamara at Senado,” he said.
(We want to focus our attention on things that both chambers can agree on.)
READ: Romualdez to meet Escudero before Ledac meeting to discuss agendas
The proposed divorce bill and Cha-cha are facing uncertainty in the Senate.
For its part, the House of Representatives has approved Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 which contains proposed amendments to the 1987 constitution.
It has also passed the Absolute Divorce Bill on third and final reading.