Independent minority solon, Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman tried to stop the proverbial Charter change (Cha-cha)) train cold in its tracks Tuesday, Feb. 28 during plenary session.
But the supermajority in the House of Representatives had other ideas.
Lagman took a shot at his pipe dream when he moved to stop the plenary debate on Cha-cha for being unconstitutional. At that time, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the Committee on Constitutional Amendments chairman, was sponsoring Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 on the floor.
"What we are doing now is against the Constitution. Because we are meeting singly, without a joint session with the Senate. On that score Mr. Speaker, I move that we stop immediately this deliberation pending the session, the joint session between the House and Senate," the Bicolano said.
"I will object, Mr. Speaker, If that is the wish of the distinguished colleague," Rodriguez rather confidently replied, while noting that there were ample House members present to put the matter to a vote.
The Mindanaoan argued that the amendments and revisions section of the existing Charter does not specify the need for a joint assembly or joint session, and merely mentions "the Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members".
"Probably my colleague refers to the 1935 Constitution, which says, "Section 1: Amendments- the Congress in joint session, assembled, upon a vote of three-fourths," Rodriguez retorted, referring to the precursor of the 1987 Constitution.
An 18-minute suspension of the session followed as the majority tried to sort the flow of business on the floor. The session resumed to allow Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Adiong to deliver a privilege speech.
Afterward, in relation to his pending motion against RBH No.6, Lagman reminded the majority of their commitment to him late last year to revise the House rules so that Zoom or electronic attendance would no longer be permitted.
"I would like to know whether the rules have been changes pursuant to that commitment," Lagman asked the presiding majority leader at that time, Deputy Majoity Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin.
"We stand by our commitment. Precisely, a rules rewriting committee has been created and the first meeting was held yesterday," Garin said.
"With that Mr. Speaker, there is a process that we are undergoing, but the rules as it is now state that electronic platforms are still considered in terms of determining the presence of a quorum. With that Mr. Speaker, allow me to reiterate my previous motion that the honorable Edcel Lagman be given five minutes to explain his motion," she added, in a bid to move the proceedings toward a vote.
Lagman's five-minute explanation on why RBH No.6 should be dropped from plenary consideration pending a joint session with the Senate came and went. A voice vote (ayes vs. nayes) was held, and the Liberal Party's (LP) motion was easily defeated.
"I respect the vote of the membership of the House although I feel that it is errant," Lagman said after voice voting.
Before the end of Tuesday's plenary session, and after just three days worth of debates on the floor, RBH No.6 was approved by House members on second reading. This paves the way for the measure's possible passage on third and final reading next week.
The controversial RBH No.6, which calls for the creation of a constitutional convention (con-con), which would be tasked to come up with possible revisions to the Constitution.
The House leadership has previously stated that the amendments to the Constitution would focus on its restrictive economic provisions.