LEADERS of the House of Representatives (HRep) on Monday expressed confidence that the differing views of House members and senators on Charter change are normal and would not have any adverse effect on the country.
Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan, Committee on Dangerous Drugs chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) President and Rizal Rep. Michael John “Jack” Duavit took this position during a press conference on current Charter change efforts, which several House leaders also attended.
“Yung differences (of opinion), normal naman yun. Siguro di naman nangyayari na walang difference in opinion yung ating mga senador at mga ating kongresista… Alam naman ng ating administrasyon saan dapat dalhin ang ating ekonomiya, ang ating bansa,” Barbers said.
He expressed confidence that such issues and differences will not pose any hindrance to the administration’s thrusts, adding that such differences only prove that democracy is alive in the country.
“Buhay po ang demokrasya sa Pillipinas kaya everybody is allowed to say their piece and say whatever opinion they have on certain issues. We make different opinions, but at the end of the day, dapat ay mag respetuhan tayo. Yun lang, wala naman sigurong ibang makakaapekto sa ating bansa,” Barbers added.
Duavit, on the other hand, said in an ideal world, disagreements can be addressed through official structures that allow debates.
“That’s the reason we have official structures where we can have these debates. Imposible naman naga-agree ang lahat sa lahat ng bagay. In a perfect would, we would be discussing this in an official setting with an official output, not on the streets, not through the media.” Duavit stressed.
He clarified that this is his personal view as a lawmaker, not as party leader.
Singson-Meehan, also an NPC member, said she considers all senators as friends.
“Sila po, kaibigan namin, not just the NPC members but all the senators. We’ve been working with them. They help us pass our local bills, (and) we work together with them for other national bills Maganda po ang working relationship namin and I still believe na ganun pa rin until now,” she said.
