Zubiri vows 'best possible amendments' to Charter after Marcos order

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday vowed that the Senate will come up with the "best possible amendments" to the 1987 Constitution after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered the chamber to lead Charter change (Cha-cha).

"I thank President Marcos for reiterating his trust in the Senate to lead the review of the economic provisions of the Constitution, as we had discussed at the start of the year," Zubiri said in a statement.

Zubiri issued the statement a day after Marcos said constitutional amendments should be done "without any fuss" in the midst of the word war between the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives over Cha-cha.

"Rest assured that we are determined to come out with the best possible amendments that will help relax the economic restrictions of the Constitution, that will benefit our people and uphold our national interest. We also remain resolute in protecting the rest of the Constitution," Zubiri said.

The Senate is currently deliberating on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 that seeks to amend the constitutional provisions on public services, education, and advertising industry by adding the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law."

RBH 6 was filed by Zubiri, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and Senator Sonny Angara after the Senate and the House leadership made an agreement before Marcos in January wherein the the Senate will lead the deliberations on the amendments to the 1987 Constitution as long as the people's initiative, which is believed to be supported by congressmen, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, will be stopped.

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.

Zubiri said the Senate's review of the constitution "is well underway," and that the hearings on RBH 6 have been "very productive and enlightening" with the help of constitutionalists, proponents, critics, and all manner of stakeholders, from the education sector to the foreign business chambers.

In an ambush interview, Zubiri said it would be better for the House of Representatives to adopt the Senate's RBH6.

"Mas magandang i-adopt na lang para walang gulo, walang away, hindi kwestiyonable at hindi rin magkakaroon ng uncertainty," he said.

(It is better to adopt to avoid conflict. It will not be questionable and not create uncertainty.)

Zubiri also said he now considers the controversial people's initiative to amend the constitution "water under the bridge."

Senator Grace Poe and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian both pointed out that the president's latest statement is a "firm stand" that the Senate should take the lead and the focus should strictly be on economic changes.

For Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the Senate has honored the president's call to be at the forefront of the moves to amend the Charter which was made even before the heated exchanges between members of the two houses of Congress.

Estrada said the Senate has been demonstrating its commitment to shaping the future of the nation through thoughtful and deliberate constitutional amendments.

"Let us hope that this collaborative effort results in positive changes that benefit all Filipinos," he said.

Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. also thanked Marcos for the trust that he has bestowed upon the Senate.

"The Senate has been tackling RBH6 since it was agreed upon kaya sunod-sunod na ang hearings ng Senado kung saan napapakinggan natin yung mga opinyon, posisyon at rekomendasyon ng mga stakeholders at legal experts tungkol sa Cha-cha," Revilla said.

(The Senate has been tackling RBH6 since it was agreed upon and we have heard the opinions, positions and recommendations of stakeholders and legal experts on Charter change in our hearings.)

Revilla, ally of Speaker Martin Romualdez, also welcomed the filing of Resolution of Both Houses 7 in the House of Representatives, saying the measure, which "mirrors" RBH 6 in the Senate, will "usher in an expeditious and efficient consideration and resolution of issues and concerns on the proposed amendments."

"Wala naman kasing masama na sabay talakayin ng Kamara at ng Senado ang mga (there is nothing wrong with both Senate and House tackling the) proposed amendments to the Constitution. The sooner we conclude this, the better it is for our people," he said.

Change of heart?

However, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III noticed that there has "clearly been a change of heart" regarding Marcos' stand on constitutional amendments.

"The President has made his position clear. He wants the 1987 Constitution amended. Although just a few months ago he said amending the Constitution was not one of his priorities. There has clearly been a change of heart," Pimentel said.

While he pointed out that Marcos is not authorized by the Constitution to have a hand in amending the Charter, Pimentel said Marcos' recent statement should give a go signal to the lawmakers, who are authorized by the Charter to push for  amendments, to do so.

"According to the President, the Senate 'takes the lead.' Those who support the President should therefore follow his directives: [L]et the Senate take the lead," Pimentel said.

The Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes led by Senator Sonny Angara has so far conducted three hearings on RBH 6. —KBK/VBL, GMA Integrated News