Senators on House push for Cha-cha: Admit your real intentions

At least two senators on Thursday challenged the members of the House of Representatives to acknowledge their supposed true intentions behind their push to amend the 1987 Constitution. 

Senator Imee Marcos and Senator Sonny Angara spoke amid the challenge from some members of the House of Representatives for the senators to reveal their true position on Charter change (Cha-cha). 

“Sabihin na natin ang totoo. Magpakatotoo ka, sister, ‘yun lang ang payo ko. ‘Wag naman economic ek-ek. Alam naman nating hindi economic ek-ek ang pakay. Bakit hindi na lang talagang ipagtapat kung anong nais?” Marcos said in an interview over Dobol B TV. 

(Let’s tell the truth. Be honest, sister, that’s my only advice. Let’s not talk about economic matters as a disguise. We all know that the intention is not about economic matters. Why not just openly admit what you want?)

“Kung talagang term extension, ayan yung three-year term na ‘yan na nagbibigay ng korapsyon at kung ano-ano pang ideya. Palagay ko lahat sang-ayon na habaan na ‘yung termino at kung no-term limits ang pag-usapan din, basta anti-dynasty. Ano ba talaga?” Marcos said.

(If it’s really about term extension, that three-year term is what breeds corruption and all sorts of ideas. I think everyone agrees to extend the term, and if there are no term limits, let’s discuss it as long as it’s anti-dynasty. What is the truth, after all?)

Angara made a similar call during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday and said he believes the lawmakers in the lower house want to amend the political provisions of the charter. 

“Sa tingin ko political amendments talaga ‘yung gusto nila kaso tinatago nila sa tao, di ba? So sang-ayon ako sa mga kasamahan natin. Sabihin niyo na talaga ano ba talaga ‘yung gusto niyo at debatihin natin, ilatag natin sa tao. ‘Wag natin itago sa proseso na mawawala ‘yung Senado, kayo lang ang mag-uusap-usap, di ba?” Angara said. 

(I think they really want to push for political amendments but they are not transparent about it to the people. I agree with my colleagues. Just tell us what you really want and let's debate on it and ask the people about it. Let us not hide our intentions behind an amendment that seeks to abolish the Senate.)

He likewise dared the House members to set the record straight on their role on the controversial people’s initiative (PI) which seeks to amend the charter and allow Congress to vote jointly in approving amendments to other provisions of the charter. 

“Sana sabihin niyo na sa tao, ano ang role niyo dyan sa PI talaga, di ba? Kasi ngayon parang lumalabas na sila na talaga ang may pakana ng PI na hindi nila sinasadya pero lumalabas don sa kanilang mga salita, tine-threaten pa kami. So sana pag-debatehan natin, ‘di ba?” he said. 

(I hope they inform the people of their role in that PI. Right now, it appears that they are the ones behind it because of their statements and they are even threatening us. So let us debate on it, right?)

The Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes led by Angara has already started its deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 which seeks to amend the economic provisions of the charter. 

RBH 6 was filed by Angara, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda after the Senate and the House leadership made an agreement before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wherein the Upper House will lead the deliberations on the amendments to the 1987 Constitution as long as the PI, which is believed to be supported by congressmen, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, will be halted. 

But the alleged continuous signature gathering for the PI enraged the senators and resulted in a word war between members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. — BM, GMA Integrated News