SEN. Robin Padilla, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws, wants the Senate leadership to schedule the soonest time possible the joint caucus among lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives do discuss proposed revisions to the Constitution.
Padilla said the Senate leadership can call for the caucus “as soon as possible” and do not need to wait until Congress’ summer break ends in May before having the discussion with their House counterparts.
“I encourage and appeal for our collaborative effort towards a common goal of achieving a more vibrant and dynamic economy for our people,” Padilla said in a March 27 letter to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
He noted that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has already said that “the House leadership is willing to open discussions with the Senate on our preferred mode of amending the Constitution, particularly through con-ass (constituent assembly).”
“I sincerely hope that the leadership of our beloved institution, led by your representation, will forge ahead and make a move to respond to the suggestion of the House of Representatives to sit together and deliberate on the matter, ultimately, for the benefit of our countrymen,” Padilla said.
Padilla also sent copies of the letter to Senate President pro tempore Loren Legarda, majority leader Joel Villanueva, and minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III.
COMMITTEE REPORT
Villanueva said he has received Padilla’s letter.
Villanueva said the requested discussion with their House counterparts was already earlier tackled in an all-senator caucus.
“Napag-usapan na ito during the 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 ay dadalhin sa plenaryo for deliberations. So, it doesn’t change ‘yung rules of the Senate (That was discussed during the caucus. I think it was very clear among us that there is a process. If the Committee on Constitutional Amendments can finish and submit a committee report, which is signed or supported by the required number of committee members, then that will be brought to the plenary for deliberations. So, it doesn’t change the rules of the Senate),” he said.
”At the end of the day we are a collegial body governed by rules. If we have committee report signed by the required number of members then we have no other choice but to deliberate the committee report in the plenary,” he added.
Padilla had deferred his scheduled March 20 committee hearing where Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the chairperson of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, was invited as a resource person on the request of Zubiri, who said he has reached a consensus with Romualdez on how to resolve the differing position of the Senate and the House on the proposed economic Cha-cha.
Zubiri said it is better to discuss Cha-cha in an executive session with their House counterparts instead of doing it publicly.
