Senators have no business over people's initiative? Imee fumes at statement

Senator Imee Marcos on Tuesday defended the Senate against statement that it has no business meddling with the people's initiative for Charter change.

"Ang sinoman ang magsabi na walang paki ang Senado sa usaping ito, isa lang ang masasabi ko. Walang gamot sa kakapalan ng mukha mo," Marcos said in her opening remarks during the Senate’s inquiry into the alleged payoffs in the ongoing people's initiative.

(Whoever says that the Senate has no business in this topic, all I can say is there is no cure for your shamelessness.)

While Marcos did not mention any names, she played video clips and news reports that point to Speaker Martin Romualdez and members of the House of Representatives as the ones behind the ongoing people's initiative.

In a press briefing last week, Romualdez, who is Marcos' cousin, said the Senate should not meddle with the people's initiative as it was not part of its job.

"Wala kayong pakialam sa PI (people's initiative). Trabaho 'yan ng taumbayan. Ang Congress at senator, ang trabaho, legislation. PI is power of the people. [You senators should] buckle down to work. There is only 24 of you, get your act together. Focus on your work. Stop hitting on Congress and maintain parliamentary courtesy," the House leader had said.

(You have no business with people's initiative. That's the job of the people. The job of Congress and senators is legislation.)

In a statement, Romualdez appealed to Marcos not to resort to vulgar words, adding he is open to "engaging in meaningful discussions with Senator Marcos to address any concerns and work together for the betterment of our country."

"The phrase 'Walang gamot sa kakapalan ng mukha mo' (There is no cure for your shamelessness), as expressed by Senator Marcos, reflects a passionate stance on issues we both care deeply about," he said.

"As public servants, our primary focus should always be on the welfare of our constituents and the progress of our nation. It is in this light that I choose to interpret her words as a call to engage more deeply in our shared commitment to serve the Filipino people," Romualdez added. —KBK, GMA Integrated News