SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has warned senators that the people’s initiative (PI) to directly propose a single constitutional amendment may push through if Congress fails to approve changes in the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions.
Barbers, a senior leader of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the House of Representatives, said congressmen have no Plan B in case their 37-year-old push for economic reform in the Charter dies again in the Senate.
“Sa ngayon, hindi pa namin napag-uusapan ang backup plan. We are just giving the Senate the time to consider approving and adopting RBH 6. It would really be appreciated if they will adopt this within the time that they have promised,” he said.
“Of course, if this will not happen, I think ongoing pa naman ‘yung PI eh and it’s just suspended for the meantime in the Comelec. Maybe the backup plan is to consider the PI,” he said.
By RBH 6, the Mindanao lawmaker was referring to Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, authored by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara.
RBH 6 is entitled, “A Resolution of Both Houses of Congress proposing amendments to certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly on Articles Xll, XlV and XVl.”
A special Senate subcommittee chaired by Angara has opened public hearings on the measure last Monday.
Barbers reiterated that House members have no participation in the people’s initiative, which advocates a constitutional amendment that the two chambers of Congress should vote jointly on any Charter change proposal.
“‘Yung PI, wala naman sa kamay namin ‘yan eh, nasa kamay na po iyan ng PIRMA… wala naman kaming role diyan. Ang sinasabi lang po namin marami nang quarters nagsasabi na kailangan tingnan natin ‘yung Saligang Batas. Yung League of Governors, League of Municipal Mayors, chambers of commerce and industry in the different provinces, business community, Makati Business Club,” he said.
“Almost practically all sectors that are pushing for they feel this is a necessity – ang pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas. Dapat pakinggan natin ito dahil hindi naman ito clamor ni congressman eh ‘di ba. Clamor ito ng maraming sectors. As to how we are going to do it, yun ang dapat natin na ma-resolve,” he said.
He pointed out that the most contentious issue that needs to be settled for Charter reform to proceed is the manner of voting.
Barbers said there are divergent views on this but that he is of the opinion that the House and the Senate should vote jointly or as one body on any proposed constitutional amendment.
