Aquino losing grip on Congress, says House opposition leader

President Benigno Aquino III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The failure of Congress to pass certain key administration bills before the break shows President Aquino’s waning influence in the House of Representatives.

“The Palace and its inhabitants are losing their grip on Congress, not the majority coalition,” said Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora.

He said this was most evident in the House’s failure to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) before it adjourned sine die on June 10 despite a last-minute Palace meeting with Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon.

“They were pushing a bill that violates the Constitution in many ways, in the process threatening whole provinces that had already voted ‘No’ to inclusion in a Bangsamoro [region] in two previous plebiscites. With national survey respondents saying they were against BBL 4 to 1, were they expecting congressmen to vote against their constituents?” said Zamora in a text message.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said that the House leadership’s failure to pass the Charter change and antipolitical dynasty bills showed the conflicting interests inherent in any coalition, which the small progressive bloc can exploit to get a positive result.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said the majority apparently saw it would be embarrassed if it pushed a vote on the BBL, antipolitical dynasty and Charter change bills which lacked solid support.

But Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. disagreed that the majority coalition was losing control of the House. “I hope not and I don’t think so,” he said.–Gil C. Cabacungan