Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez couldn't help but feel disappointed after the Senate cancelled his invitation to appear before the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

“I am disappointed, After inviting me last March 14, I received last night a notice of cancellation from the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes," Rodriguez said in a statement on Monday morning, March 20.

"I was already prepared to go to the Senate today at 10 am to present to the senators the basis of our RBH No.6 (Resolution of Both Houses No.6) and HB No.7352 (House Bill No.7352), which were all data-driven, evidence-based and future-proof,” he said.

Rodriguez chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments. His counterpart in the Senate is Senator Robin Padilla.

RBH No. 6 calls for the convening of a constitutional convention (con-con) to propose changes in the Charter’s economic provisions, while HB No. 7352, which implements the resolution.

The twin measures have already been approved on third and final reading by the lower chamber.

Rodriguez said there was no reason given for the cancellation of his appearance before Padilla’s panel in the notice he received, although it indicated that the invitation had been "moved to a latter date".

He said he read from the media the assurances of Padilla that today’s hearing would be held as scheduled.

Padilla told a news conference on Friday that aside from Rodriguez, he had requested other House members to attend his panel’s hearing.

Rodriguez told the Manila Bulletin Sunday night, March 19 that he was supposed to be joined by House Assistant Majority Leader and Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez, and panel vice chairpersons Zambaoanga del Sur 1st district Rep. Divina Grace-Yu and Quezon City 6th district Rep. Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar to the Senate.

“I wish members of the Senate would listen to what the [House members] are pushing for. I just want to be fair. I don’t want the House to think that I prevented their efforts,” the Mindanaoan said.

Padilla added that he hoped other senators would find time to listen to constitutional economic reform advocates in the House.