Leaders of the House of Representatives on Sunday slammed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for focusing on a possible constitutional crisis rather than constructive dialogue over Charter change.
“It is disheartening to see the Senate President jump to the conclusion of a constitutional crisis, instead of embracing the spirit of collaboration put forth by Speaker (Ferdinand Martin) Romualdez. We need dialogue, not doomsday predictions,” said House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe.
Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said Zubiri’s warning only exacerbates an already contentious situation.
“This is a time for dialogue, not escalating tensions,” he said.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Barbers also said the Senate manifesto against the people’s initiative (PI) was “baseless and irrational” and called on senators to “let ordinary Filipinos, not legislators, decide on the ‘Cha-cha’ (Charter change) issue.”
Speaking on behalf of some House members who support the PI, Barbers said some senators’ allegations that the goal of PI is to make it easier to revise the Constitution by eliminating the Senate from the equation is an “unfounded and deceptive attribution to the House.”
“The manifesto is apparently portraying a demonized image on the supporters of the PI,” the Mindanao solon said.
Albay Rep. Joey Salceda also clarified the Speaker’s position and the stance of the House on the people’s initiative.
“The House recognizes the People’s Initiative as a fundamental democratic process that is explicitly citizen-driven and enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. It is a mechanism that allows Filipinos themselves to directly propose amendments to the constitution, independent of congressional action,” he said in a statement.
“Speaker Romualdez, in his statement, expressed support for this democratic exercise, emphasizing its importance in resolving current constitutional debates. It is crucial to understand that this support does not equate to direct participation or control by the House in the People’s Initiative process.”
“The role of the House of Representatives, as envisioned by Speaker Romualdez, is to encourage public discourse and awareness regarding constitutional amendments, ensuring that citizens are well-informed and engaged in the democratic processes that shape the nation,” Salceda added.
He added that the people’s initiative “is a process for the people, by the people.”
“It embodies the sovereign will of the Filipino citizens, offering a direct avenue for them to express their desires and aspirations for constitutional reform. The House of Representatives respects this process and believes in the capacity of the Filipino people to decide the best course for the nation’s constitutional future,” Salceda said.
Romualdez recently sent a letter to Zubiri, affirming the House’s commitment to adopt the Senate’s version of Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 that aims to amend the “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Zubiri responded with a warning of a potential constitutional crisis, alleging that the House persists in its efforts to initiate a people’s initiative for constitutional amendments — an allegation House leaders have denied.
The Senate leader also said the ongoing signature drive is not only flawed but also unconstitutional.
But Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez said Zubiri’s warning could become self-fulfilling.
“We risk further polarization and gridlock by prematurely labeling the situation as a constitutional crisis. The responsibility lies with both chambers to navigate this complex terrain with prudence and a commitment to the democratic process,” he said.
Dalipe added: “Instead of fueling discord, we must engage in constructive dialogue to find a consensus that addresses the economic concerns without jeopardizing the stability of our constitutional framework.”
Gonzales underscored the urgency of a collaborative approach concerning the amendment of the fundamental law of the land.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., on the other hand, appealed to his colleagues to maintain civility and professionalism and to refrain from using prayer as a means to score political points during the Charter change debate.
His appeal seemed to be aimed at Senator Marcos, who branded those pushing a signature campaign to amend the Constitution through a people’s initiative “devils.”
“I’m surprised. I know my brother and it seems his hands are tied. I don’t understand how my brother was lured by those demons. What is happening right now is really not good,” she said in Filipino.
Imee on Saturday prayed for the protection of the President and that he be kept away from the “devils.” She also asked God to open her brother’s eyes, give him clarity of thought, and remind him not to leave the fate of the country to those who are greedy and hungry for attention.
The lawmaker said there are many “devils” in Malacañang who may affect how the President perceives the push for Charter change.
“I think my brother is surrounded by devils. When I was young I also said that Malacañang is a snake-pit… That really happens where there is power,” she said.
“I hope my brother doesn’t listen because we grew up seeing that. I hope he doesn’t listen to the demons in the Palace. There are many demons there—those who have two legs, and the others are ghosts,” she said.
Amid discussions on Cha-cha, President Marcos said the Philippines needs to adapt as the 1987 Constitution was crafted not in the context of a global community.
Earlier, Zubiri said Marcos believed the proposed amendments in the people’s initiative for Charter change were “too divisive.”
Senators have questioned the legality of the signature campaign, saying people were signing on in exchange for bribes—an allegation House leaders have also denied.
Senator Imee Marcos said her brother, President Marcos, was surrounded by “demons” bent on pushing him toward a people’s initiative, as she filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the alleged payoffs.
“We are very courteous. We don’t subpoena anyone. We don’t arrest. I’m just saying, if you want to clear your name and put aside the suspicions, then just present yourself and just go to the hearing,” Senator Marcos said.
Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay said the Senate was committed to economic growth and stability.
Contrary to any misconceptions, Binay said the Senate has consistently demonstrated a “pro-development” and “pro-progress” stance.
This was evident in the passage of critical economic reforms such as the Public Service Act (PSA), Foreign Investments Act (FIA), and the Retail Trade Liberation Act, she said.
But Binay said blame should not be directed at the Senate, because it was not responsible for the “fake” people’s initiative to amend the Charter.
“The push for the fake people’s initiative did not come from the Senate,” Binay said
She said the people behind the people’s initiative know the divisiveness it will cause will hurt investor confidence.
“Investors value stability, and we are dedicated to addressing this matter with the seriousness it deserves,” she said.
In other developments:
* Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said the House could transform the government into a parliamentary system if an ongoing people’s initiative campaign prospers. “They can convert the government to a parliamentary system. Even if 24 senators will oppose it, that doesn’t matter,” Carpio told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
The ongoing People’s Initiative, one of three ways to revise the Constitution, seeks that senators and congressmen vote jointly on Charter change proposals, instead of separately as two houses of Congress. Joint voting would mean the Senate’s 24 members will be outnumbered by the House of Representatives’ more than 300 lawmakers.
* Bayan Muna has posted on social media sample affidavits of withdrawal of signature for registered voters who have changed their minds about the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna called on groups against the people’s initiative to help disseminate the forms. “These forms will help right a wrong and prove that there is deceit involved in the fake people’s initiative drive. We ask groups opposed to Cha-cha to help facilitate the withdrawal of people and submit this to Comelec,” Colmenares said. The form states: “It is my intention, by the filing of this Affidavit of Withdrawal, to WITHDRAW my signature, therefrom, and hereby inform the COMELEC to consider my signature withdrawn from the same.”
