Villanueva puzzled by Padilla’s disclosure of letters asking Senate leaders tackle Cha-cha issue with House

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva was puzzled by Senator Robin Padilla’s disclosure of letters the latter sent to Senate leaders urging them to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to tackle the preferred mode of amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

In an interview with reporters, Villanueva said he was “’surprised” about the press release from Padilla’s office as all senators agreed that the measure seeking for a Charter change will undergo the usual legislative procedure.

“I got the letter parang three or four days ago pa yata. I’m not sure about the intention of the press release na ilabas ang sulat,” he said.

“But be that as it may, napag-usapan na ito noong caucus…I think it is very clear among all of us na ang proseso ay kung makagawa ng committee report ang Committee on Constitutional Amendments at may sapat na suporta ito mula sa miyembro ng committee, ito’y dadalhin sa plenaryo for deliberation,” he added.

GMA News Online reached out to the office of Padilla for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of posting time.

Further, Villanueva pointed out that it is not his “call” to hold a meeting among the leaders of both chambers.

“We are a collegial body. It starts with our leader, our inspirational leader, Sen. Migz Zubiri, our Senate President…We are governed by rules. Kung mayroon tayong ginagawa dito sa Senado, ito’y laging nakabase doon sa rules,” he added.

Last Monday, Padilla sent separate letters to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Villanueva, and Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III asking them to respond to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’ suggestion to sit down and discuss the Charter change.

The House of Representatives is seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional convention (con-con) while Padilla is pushing for a con-ass mode.—AOL, GMA Integrated News