Romualdez lauds Senate’s decision to proceed with hearings on RBH 6

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Senate to now proceed with the hearings on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 filed by Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, signaling a significant stride towards long-anticipated constitutional amendments.

The Speaker said the lower chamber stands prepared to collaborate and contribute to this significant legislative endeavor, emphasizing a common goal to ensure that any amendments to the Constitution, serve the best interests of the Filipino people and establish a robust foundation for a more prosperous and equitable Philippines.

“We are heartened by the news that the Senate, finally, will commence hearings on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 next week. This marks a significant step towards the much-awaited constitutional amendments,” said Romualdez.

Expressing great anticipation for the outcomes of the Senate deliberations, the Speaker said that the prospect of amending and potentially easing certain restrictive provisions in the 1987 Constitution goes beyond a mere legislative exercise.

“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I await with great anticipation the outcomes of these Senate deliberations. The prospect of amending and potentially easing certain restrictive provisions in the 1987 Constitution is more than a legislative exercise; it is a great stride towards realizing the aspirations of our people and unlocking the full potential of our nation,” he said.

According to Romualdez, the “unity” demonstrated by Zubiri’s announcement reflects a shared commitment among legislators to address crucial changes that could shape the future of the country.

“We welcome this latest development as the announcement of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri demonstrates a united legislative front in addressing crucial changes that have the potential to shape the future of our country,” he said.

“As the Senate embarks on this momentous task, the House of Representatives stand ready to collaborate and contribute to this significant legislative endeavor. We share a common goal: to ensure that any amendments to our Constitution serve the best interests of the Filipino people and lay a strong foundation for a more prosperous and equitable Philippines,” he said.

The Speaker assured the senators that the House of Representatives stands united with them on this mission.

Earlier, Romualdez and political parties in the lower chamber assured Zubiri that the House would endorse a Senate resolution aimed at amending the “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

‘Obstructive’

CAGAYAN de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, for his part, said records showed that the Senate has been “obstructive” towards Charter reform for the past three decades, spanning 12 Congresses, or 34 to 35 years, from the 8th Congress to the ongoing 19th Congress.

He said the Senate’s obstinate opposition to constitutional amendment efforts from the House has prompted some House members to support people’s organizations in launching a people’s initiative, the mode in which the Constitution itself provides for a direct popular proposition for charter change.

“That process will bypass the Senate. I personally do not want that to happen, but I think the majority of us will support it out of frustration over the Senate’s obstructionism,” the Mindanao lawmaker, who chairs the House committee on constitutional amendments, added.

He pointed out that senators have not acted even on House proposals to limit proposed amendments to the Constitution’s “restrictive economic provisions that hinder investments.”

“They have held hostage reforms that could have accelerated our economic growth, generated more investments, and created more income and job opportunities for our people,” he stressed.

Citing his committee’s data, Rodriguez said a total of 358 charter change measures had been filed with the House during the 8th Congress up to the current 19th Congress.

Of these, 83 proposed amendments via a Constituent assembly (Con-ass), 105 through a constitutional convention (concon) and 98 by way of Congress holding separate sessions, he said.