HOUSE members remain optimistic that the Senate will eventually muster the votes needed to pass Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, seeking to ease economic restrictions in the 1987 Constitution particularly in advertising, education and public services.
Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez, La Union Rep. Francisco Pablo Ortega, and Zambales Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun in the regular press briefing Monday at the House of Representatives, shared their hope that former Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri will be able to convince two more Senators to support and pass RBH 6.
Suarez said the Senate’s eventual approval complements the strong public support for RBH as manifested during the chamber’s roadshow.
“Sana mahanap nila yung dalawa (pang boto) dahil nung sinusundan ko po yung roadshow nila sa Baguio, I think it was almost 98% yung support nung mga nandoon pagdating sa economic amendments. Of course, we understand that there is a little bit of hesitation in education, but given the potential the opening up our doors in education can provide to the Filipinos, we shouldn’t close our opportunities to improve the education sector,” he said.
He added, “We still have enough time. Its (only) Monday, before we go on sine die break on Wednesday. We’re very hopeful that the Senate can act quickly and swiftly on the Rice Tariffication Law amendment bill and economic charter change resolution.”
Ortega prays that RBH 6 will eventually hurdle the Senate. “Sana po madagdagan pa (yung votes nila), yan po ang aming patuloy na dalangin. Siyempre, sino ba naman may ayaw po na mapaganda at mapaangat po yung kabuhayan ng ating bansa. Ang medyo sensitive lang naman na topic which is hindi naman po talaga kasali doon sa mga napag-uusapan is yung sa political amendments po. Iyun lang po,” Ortega said.
Ortega said House members remain hopeful because of the favorable reaction being shown by their constituents in their districts to economic Cha-cha.
“Kami po umaasa talaga kami kasi makikita natin even with the reaction po sa mga iba’t ibang distrito namin, in favor po talaga sila sa economic Charter change, very interested (po sila),” Ortega said.
Khonghun also remains positive that senators will realize the strong public support for economic Charter change.
“Nakita naman nila sa Baguio yung reaskyon ng mga tao, almost 90% na nandoon at nakikita natin na sila ay payag sa economic chacha. So, sana makita ng mga senador natin na talagang merong pambansang pagtanggap para mabago ang ating Constitution at magkaroon ng reporma lalong lalo na sa usapin sa ekonomiya,” Khonghun said.
He saw the House being able to stick to its timeline and passed Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 as scheduled as a testament to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“Dito natin nakikita iyong talagang liderato ni Speaker Martin Romualdez na talagang tinatapos iyong trabaho. So talagang nakakalungkot na talagang dalawang araw na lang hindi pa naipapasa (yung RBH 6 sa Senado) pero katulad nga ng sinabi ng aking mga kasamahan kanina, patuloy kaming umaasa, nagdarasal na sana maipasa nila at makita nila at sana haplusin sila ng anghel para mabuksan ang kanilang mga mata at makita nila na itong mga panukalang ito ay talagang nararapat para sa ikakaunlad ng ating bansa,” Khonghun said.
However, shortly after the sudden change in Senate leadership Monday, Zubiri cast doubt on the fate of the economic Charter change being pushed by the House of Representatives.
