Filing of RBH 7 in House a ‘positive development’ – Angara

Sen. Sonny Angara (File photo from the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Sonny Angara saw the House of Representatives’ filing of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 as a “positive” development amid talks for economic Charter change (Cha-cha).

Angara, who heads the Senate hearings on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 containing proposed economic amendments to the Constitution, made the remark in an ambush interview on Tuesday.

“That’s good. For me, it’s a positive move to file RBH 7 instead of bickering and holding daily press conferences that are hitting the Senate. It’s better for them to have a hearing so they can discuss the issue. What’s best among the Congressmen is that they are in their districts so they can consult their districts,” Angara told reporters in a mix of Filipino and English.

Leaders in the lower chamber have filed RBH 7 on Monday, mimicking the Senate’s RBH 6.

House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe said both chambers of Congress could vote separately on the measures by proposing the same amendments to specific economic provisions of the Constitution.

But does lodging two separate measures proposing the same economic Cha-cha would trigger complications?

“If the content is different, maybe we have to conduct a bicam, but what we want is to vote separately, and if ever, adopt the version… Perhaps, before we finalize the version in the Senate. We will also consult on the contents, in the House,” Angara said.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier directed the Senate to spearhead discussions on the proposed amendments to the Constitution. These amendments only focus on public services, advertising, and education.

On the other hand, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri previously disclosed that Marcos instructed the upper chamber to pass the final version of RBH No. 6, and the House would just adopt the measure’s Senate version.