‘Legislation by Viber’ in Maharlika bill hit by Makabayan bloc

The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives on Wednesday "condemned" Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri's signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund bill.

The bloc took issue with Zubiri mentioning corrections in the measure as "discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group."

"The Makabayan Bloc strongly condemns the approval of the so-called 'corrected' Maharlika Investment Fund bill by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. This bill is nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to push for legislation via Viber groups, which is unconstitutional and a blatant disregard for the democratic process," Makabayan said in a statement.

"How can this be? Last time we checked, the Constitution does not allow legislation by Viber," the lawmakers added.

Signed in Washington

Makabayan is composed of House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Zubiri signed the final copy of the MIF bill in Washington, where he is on an official visit to meet members of the United States Congress and government agencies.

He said Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. brought a copy of the measure to Washington along with the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension bill.

Asked how the Senate addressed the double provisions on the prescriptive period in the MIF bill, Zubiri said: “I believe the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group, including the correction sent by Senator Mark Villar.”

The Senate version of the bill, which was eventually adopted by the House of Representatives, included two sections on the prescriptive period.

The draft bill passed on the Senate floor provides for a 10-year prescriptive period for crimes punishable under the measure, while another section in the same bill provides for a 20-year prescriptive period.

Sections 50, 51

Sought for comment by reporters, Bantug said it was clear in the Senate proceedings that the senators voted for a ten-year prescriptive period as regards crimes under the MIF.

"Sections 50 and 51 of Maharlika bill were merged. 'Yung 51 was not actually deleted... Inangat lang siya doon sa para isang section lang sa prescription of crimes/offenses," Bantug said.

(Section 51 was not deleted. It was moved up so that there would only be one section on the prescription of crimes and offenses.)

"In combining it, yung section title of the surviving section, which is section 50, presciption of crimes/offenses... Clear talaga sa proceedings na 10 lang," he added.

(It was clear in the proceedings that it was just 10.)

The House passed the Maharlika bill on third reading back in December 2022, but the Senate only passed it on third reading last May 30, a day before Congress adjourned its first regular session.

The House ultimately adopted the Senate version of the measure last May 31, the last day of the First Regular Session of the 19th Congress.

"The bill passed by both houses, with amendments by the Senate and accepted by the House, cannot be changed or modified by mere discussion in the Viber group of the Senate majority bloc," Makabayan said.

"This makes a mockery of the constitutional requirement of transparency when the legislature deliberates on and approves laws," they added.

Transparency, accountability

Makabayan said actions by the bills' proponents went against the principles of transparency and accountability.

"We call on Senate President Zubiri to immediately retract his approval of this 'corrected' bill and to ensure that proper procedures are followed in the legislative process," Makabayan said.

"We also call on our fellow lawmakers to remain vigilant and to defend our democratic institutions from any attempts to undermine them," they added.

The lawmakers also adverted to "legal action if necessary to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that the interests of the Filipino people are protected."

"We will not allow this kind of legislative shortcut to continue, especially when it involves public funds and the welfare of our fellow citizens," the bloc said. —NB, GMA Integrated News