Drilon confident colleagues in Senate won’t vote for ‘no-el’

Sen. Franklin Drilon INQUIRER file photo

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon believes that his colleagues would not be tempted to vote in favor of a “no-election,” or “no-el” scenario in 2019.

In an interview on radio DWIZ on Saturday, Drilon stressed that a no-election was against the Constitution, unless it would be amended and ratified before May 29.

“I am confident that my colleagues in the Senate were decent enough that they will not vote (in favor of no-el). They have the morale standing not to be tempted,” Drilon said.

“Hindi naman pwedeng haharap ka sa taumbayan at sasabihin mo: pumayag ako sa amendment kasi mae-extend ang term ko. Sa palagay ko naman, hindi sila ganyan,” the senator said.
(It is not right to face our countrymen and tell them: I agreed to the amendment because my term will be extended. I think they are not like that.)

It was House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in an interview with ANC’s “Headstart” earlier this week, who floated the idea of a no-el scenario should the proposed shift to a federal form of government succeeds in Congress this year.

Alvarez said Congress may convene this January to discuss the proposal of a shift to federalism and hold a referendum in May this year.

READ: No-el scenario in 2019 possible – Alvarez

However, Drilon said this won’t be possible since the Senate may serve as an impeachment court on the complaint filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno this coming May.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairman of the House committee on justice, said in an interview on radio DZMM that if the impeachment complaint passes through plenary vote before Holy Week, it would be elevated to the Senate by May.

“Hindi ko po nakikita na mangyayari ‘yan given the time frame. Una, sabi ng (House) Committee on Justice na sa Mayo ipapadala sa amin ‘yung impeachment. The moment na pag impeachment court na kami, wala na kami iba na matatrabaho,” Drilon said.

“For the next six months, we can’t do anything, so I can’t see kung paano namin aamyendahan ang Saligang Batas. I cant’t see kung paano isasabay sa halalan sa May 2019,” the senator said. /jpv