House leaders to file resolution defending Romualdez amid Cha-cha discord

MANILA, Philippines — Party leaders and ranking members of the House of Representatives are set to file a resolution that would defend Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez from accusations hurled against him regarding Charter change (Cha-cha), noting that they support his leadership.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said that the House had a party leaders’ caucus and an all-members’ assembly to get their sentiments after heated exchanges between the House and the Senate.

Dalipe said that the House resolution, a proposal made after the meeting, would be filed on Monday, Feb. 6.

“We just had an all-member caucus because some members would like us to gather because of the recent developments, and the developments from the Senate, statements were issued wherein some or a lot of House members would want to also express and get the sentiments of other House members,” Dalipe told reporters.

“There was a proposal to come up with a House Resolution from this august chamber. The House resolution will be filed on Monday,” he added.

At first, Dalipe did not explain what the resolution was about, but he, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and other House officials agreed to read the title of the proposed resolution.

“So to give you an idea for the resolution, a resolution expressing unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and the upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives in the face of intense assault from the Senate, in violation of the principle of the inter-parliamentary courtesy, and undue interference in the performance of its legislative and constituent functions,” Gonzales said.

Several Senate and House members have been at odds recently over proposals to amend the Constitution.

Last Jan. 23, all 24 senators signed a manifesto against a people’s initiative (PI) being mounted to call for amendments to economic provisions, as the lawmakers believe this document seeks to abolish the Senate.

The PI includes an adherence to joint voting of the Senate and the House of the proposed amendments. Such a scheme would allow 300 House lawmakers to overpower the vote of 24 senators.

READ: Senate manifesto nixes people’s initiative, warns of no-el scenario

Some senators, including Sen. Imee Marcos — Romualdez’s cousin — claimed that the speaker and the rest of the House leadership were behind the people’s initiative. Romualdez has denied this several times, saying he is not behind such moves.

During the Senate hearing on the controversial people’s initiative, it was admitted by People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (Pirma) official Noel Oñate that he met with Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co regarding the PI proposal. Romualdez clarified that he was only a facilitator, not an initiative initiator.

House lawmakers maintained that the people’s initiative was only borne out of the Senate not acting on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which seeks amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.

According to Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the initiative would not prosper if the Senate acted on RBH No. 6 before Congress adjourned for the Holy Week.

More fireworks?

Earlier, Rizal 1st District Rep. Michael John Duavit said he hoped the Senate’s commitment to act on RBH No. 6 would start things simmering down after heated discussions.

While there are fears that the proposed resolution may reignite barbs from both sides, Duavit feels that tensions would not rise again because it was still respectful even though strongly worded.

“Looking naman at the statement, with due respect to the Senate, sometimes strong statements require strong answers, right? So it’s not hurtful — strong, yes, but that only shows how serious we take it,” Duavit said.

Meanwhile, Bataan 2nd District Rep. Albert Garcia said that one of Romualdez’s directives was to refrain from intensifying the issues further.

“In that meeting, of course, a lot of them were emotional. So many issues were discussed. We could not avoid that given the recent events that have happened, but the most important takeaway from that caucus is that number one, the House is solid behind the speaker,” Garcia said, speaking partly in Filipino.

“Second, even if our speaker was hurt by the issues, his instructions were for our colleagues in the House of Representatives to refrain from escalating the issue further, that we return to work so that our efforts would benefit the people,” he added.