Padilla finds it hard to accept senators not being open to Cha-cha: ‘Nag-file kayo niyan’

Sen. Robin Padilla during a hybrid hearing of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes on March 20, 2023. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA,  Philippines — With several measures filed in the Senate pushing for Charter change (Cha-cha), Senator Robin Padilla said he finds it difficult to understand why his colleagues would be against or closed-minded about it now.

In an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel, Padilla was asked about the possibility of the majority of senators not supporting his Cha-cha initiative.

READ: Zubiri clarifies: Charter change stand remains, open to discuss bid with House

“Mahirap pong tanggapin na hindi po sila open,” he said, noting that many incumbent and former senators —  either belonging to the administration or opposition — had filed Cha-cha measures in the Senate.

(It isn’t easy to accept that they are not open.)

He cited former Senator Franklin Drilon as an example, who headed the minority block in the Senate during the past administration.

“Ganun din po ang mga nakaupo po ngayon na mga senador, nag-file din po sila nyan. Si Senator SP Migz Zubiri at one point, nagfile din po sya nyan,” Padilla, chairman of the  Senate committee on constitutional amendments, said in the interview.

(Even those in the Senate now also filed [Cha-cha measures]. For example, Senator Migz Zubiri, at one point, also filed the same.)

He also mentioned a bill filed by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian calling for amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution through a constituent assembly.

Even in their speeches and hearings, Padilla said his colleagues would often talk about the need to encourage more foreign investors in the country.

So with all these pronouncements and the number of Cha-cha measures filed in the Senate, he said he sees no reason why senators would not support this initiative.

How could he get the support of the Senate leadership? Padilla said he is going around the country first, explaining to people the Cha-cha proposals to get their support.

“Kahit na pumayag lahat na senador at pumayag lahat na congressmen na yan, pagdating sa ratification ay no, wala ring mangyayari. Ang inuuna ko yung taumbayan,”  he pointed out.

(Even if all senators and congressmen agreed, but during ratification, the answer is no, then nothing will happen. So I’m prioritizing the people.)

“Yung patungkol sa mga senador dito ipinapaalala ko sa kanila, nag-file kayo niyan. Finile ninyo yan one time in your political career, you believed in this,” he further said.

(About the senators, I’m just reminding you that you also filed this. You filed this measure one time in your political career. You believed in this.)

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