MANILA — Party leaders and ranking members of the House of Representatives are set to file a resolution that would defend Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez from accusations hurled against him regarding Charter change (Cha-cha), noting that they support his leadership.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said that the House had a party leaders’ caucus and an all-members’ assembly to get their sentiments after heated exchanges between the House and the Senate.
Dalipe said that the House resolution, a proposal made after the meeting, would be filed on Monday, Feb. 6.
“We just had an all-member caucus, because some members would like us to gather because of the recent developments, and the developments from the Senate, statements were issued wherein, some or a lot of House members would want to also express and get the sentiments of other House members,” Dalipe told reporters.
“There was a proposal to come up with a House Resolution from this august chamber. The House resolution will be filed on Monday,” he added.
At first, Dalipe did not explain what the resolution was about, but he, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., and other House officials agreed to read the title of the proposed resolution.
“So to give you an idea for the resolution, a resolution expressing unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the Honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and the upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives in the face of intense assault from the Senate, in violation of the principle of the inter-parliamentary courtesy, and undue interference in the performance of its legislative and constituent functions,” Gonzales said.
Several members of the Senate and the House have been at odds recently over proposals to amend the Constitution.
Last Jan. 23, all 24 senators signed a manifesto against a people’s initiative (PI) being mounted to call for amendments to economic provisions, as the lawmakers believe this document seeks to abolish the Senate.
Included in the PI is an adherence to joint voting of the Senate and the House of the proposed amendments, Such a scheme would allow 300 House lawmakers to overpower the vote of 24 senators.
There were also some senators, including Sen. Imee Marcos — Romualdez’s cousin — who claimed that the speaker and the rest of the House leadership were behind the people’s initiative. Romualdez has denied this several times, saying that he is not behind such moves.
During the Senate hearing on the controversial people’s initiative, it was admitted by People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (Pirma) official Noel Oñate that he met with Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co regarding the PI proposal. Romualdez clarified that he was only a facilitator and not an initiator of initiative.
House lawmakers maintained that the people’s initiative was only borne out of the Senate not acting on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which seeks amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.
According to Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the initiative would not prosper if the Senate would act on RBH No. 6 before Congress adjourns for the Holy Week.
