Senators stand up against Speaker’s ‘threats’ amid federalism debate

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Minority Leader Franklin Drilon both downplayed House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s statement urging the public not to vote for senators who are against federalism.

Last Thursday, Alvarez said senators would face the issue of federalism in the 2019 midterm elections.

“Kaya tandaan niyo, yung mga senador na ayaw ng federalism, ibig sabihin, ayaw nilang umasenso yung mga probinsya at saka mga regions. Huwag niyong iboto yan,” he added.
(That’s why remember, these senators who do not want federalism mean they are against development of these provinces and regions. Don’t vote for them.)

Reacting to this, Sotto said: “Ok lang. Negative campaigning is not disallowed. I’m not worried of issues like that.”

Sotto said he is “still studying” the prospect of the shifting to a federal form of government.

Drilon, meanwhile, said the issue at this point is the “brazen move” of the House to “impose and railroad” Charter change (Cha-cha) “without public debate and participation.”

“But having said that, the senators are willing to face the people on their stand on federalism,” he added.

READ: Cha-cha train will get derailed, Drilon warns

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian likewise lamented the House Speaker’s statement, saying it was “unfortunate” that he “resorted to threats and name calling to pressure the Senate to relinquish its check and balance role as specified by our Constitution.”

“Lumabas din sa ating hearing na hindi pa klaro kung makikinabang ba talaga ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan dito sa ginagawang Charter change. Kulang pa rin sa pag-aaral ng mga ekonomista and dalubhasa kung ano ang konkretong pakinabang sa atin mga bagay pamilya. The only clear benefactors of this endeavor are the politicians who will perpetuate themselves to power,” he added.
(It appears during our hearings that there is still no clear proof that ordinary citizens will benefit from this Charter change. It still lacks the study of our economists and experts on what concrete benefits will this provide to our families.)

Last Tuesday, the House adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Charter.

The lower chamber is also pushing for a joint voting of the Congress, which the Senate is strongly opposing.

Contrary to Gatchalian’s view, Senator Manny Pacquaio said “either” of the modes of Cha-cha would be okay, as long as the welfare of the Filipinos is being considered.

“Either way Con-ass or Con-con (Constitutional convention) basta para sa kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino yong tiningnan ko palagi, sana umasenso na ang bansa natin grabe talaga ang corruption dito sa bansa natin. Panginoon na ang bahala sa lahat,” Pacquiao said in a text message to reporters.
(The welfare of the Filipino people is what I am always looking into. I hope our country prospers because corruption is really a big problem in our country. I leave it all up to God.)

Lawmakers have yet to decide on whether the proposed Constitutional amendment should be through a Con-con, where changes would be proposed by representatives elected by the people, or through a Con-ass to be composed of sitting legislators.

After agreeing on the mode of Cha-cha and consequently proposing amendments, a referendum by the Filipino people would be held to approve these changes.

Meanwhile, opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes maintained his stance that the proposed Cha-cha is just a scheme to let President Rodrigo Duterte to stay in power.

“Wag na tayo magpaligoy-ligoy pa, ang Cha-cha ni Duterte ay tinutulak para lang manatili siya sa pwesto. Kasi alam n’ya na sa kulungan ang tuloy n’ya pagbaba n’ya sa pwesto sa 2022,” Trillanes said in a statement.
(Let’s not beat around the bush, Duterte’s Cha-cha is being pushed to keep him in his position. Because he knows that he will land in jail when he steps down in 2022.)

“Ang iba’t-ibang rason para sa Cha-cha na sinasabi n’ya gaya ng federalism ay pawang panlilinlang, pananakot o panloloko lamang sa taong bayan,” he added.

(The different reasons for Cha-cha that he keeps saying, just like federalism, are all part of their tricks, threats and hoax to fool the people.) /jpv