LAWMAKERS from the House of Representatives on Tuesday vowed to stick with the deadline for voting on the resolution aimed at amending the economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution before the upcoming Holy Week break.
This, as they approached with caution a statement made by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri quoting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. reportedly favoring conducting the plebiscite on the proposed economic constitutional amendments alongside the 2025 midterm elections, stating their preference to hear directly from the Chief Executive.
During a press conference, Representatives Margarita “Atty. Migs” Nograles (PBA Party-list) and Rodge Gutierrez (1-RIDER Partylist) emphasized the House’s ongoing commitment to prioritize economic constitutional reforms.
Nograles also noted the significance of preserving confidentiality in discussions conducted behind closed doors.
“And sana po ‘yung mga pinag-uusapan closed doors is respected in terms of confidentiality na ‘yung Presidente lang makakasabi kung ano talaga ‘yung gusto niya,” she added.
Gutierrez said he preferred hearing the statement directly from the President.
“Although ideally, I want to hear it personally from the President,” Gutierrez said.
Nograles, Gutierrez, and Rep.
Zia Alonto Adiong (1st District, Lanao del Sur) underscored the importance of completing the crucial task of passing Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7)—which seeks to amend specific economic constitutional provisions related to public services, education, and advertising—before Congress adjourns for the Holy Week break on March 23.
“As far as the House is concerned, patuloy po ‘yung trabaho and we will exhaustively look into the economic revisions in the Constitution and hear the different resource persons while looking into RBH 7,” Nograles said.
Nograles emphasized the need for a smart approach to decision-making, citing the importance of setting “specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound” goals while awaiting further directives from the President.
“So it’s good that we do have this timeframe although we have yet to hear what the President really has to say about this because that is something that I hope pumasok ‘yung konsepto din, although we want to be transparent, may confidentiality din,” Nograles remarked.
Gutierrez urged senators to consider avoiding an extension of the deliberations and approval of RBH 6 before sine die adjournment.
