House may push people’s initiative if Senate delays Charter review

THE HOUSE of Representatives may resort to throwing its full weight behind the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution if senators ignore their own timetable to review the Charter change agenda, a congressman said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news briefing, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers expressed readiness to consider the people’s initiative if the Senate does not act swiftly.

“If this will not happen, I think the people’s initiative is ongoing, it’s just suspended for the meantime, by the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” Mr. Barbers said. “So, I don’t know, maybe one of the back-up plans would be to consider the people’s initiative.”

Last week, the Comelec suspended proceedings on the so-called people’s initiative for Charter change (“Chacha”) amid allegations that several congressmen were involved in a paid signature campaign.

The Senate began on Monday its deliberations on the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, easing economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to welcome more foreign investors in the country.

House lawmakers have asked senators to stick to their earlier deadline of finishing its Charter change deliberations before the Holy Week break next month.

It can be recalled that Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri had announced that the Senate’s constitutional review should be done by the first quarter of the year.

Mr. Barbers clarified that the House’s call is not an ultimatum, and the Lower Chamber has not discussed specific “back up plans” if senators do not act quickly on its constitutional review.

“We’re just giving the Senate the time to consider approving and adopting RBH 6 and it would really be appreciated if they pass this at the scheduled time that they promised,” he said.

Earlier, Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said the Senate seeks to finish proposing changes to the Constitution by October, the same month the Comelec set for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections. He suggested including a plebiscite on “Cha-cha” in the midterm voting.

In response, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe said the “election fever” is about to start and the “Cha-cha” push could get politicized.

Likewise, House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David C. Suarez said voting on constitutional change simultaneously with the midterm polls could affect local politics.