Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (Facebook)

There is no such thing as legislation via "Viber". The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives had this to say after learning that the Senate, led by Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, had revised the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Bill through discussion on the popular messaging app. "I believe the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group including the letter of correction sent by Senator Mark Villar," Zubiri said in a message to reporters. To this, the Makabayan congressmen asked: "How can this be? Last time we checked, the Constitution does not allow legislation by Viber." They further called it an "unconstitutional" move as well as "a blatant disregard for the democratic process". "We call on Senate President Zubiri to immediately retract his approval of this 'corrected' bill and to ensure that proper procedures are followed in the legislative process. We also call on our fellow lawmakers to remain vigilant and to defend our democratic institutions from any attempts to undermine them," they said. As it is, the proposed MIF, which will essentially become the Philippine sovereign wealth fund, is already a contentious figure as it is, with critics saying that this isn't the right time to pursue such a law. They've also questioned its supposed lack of transparency and accountability. The belief is that the MIF Bill is nearing enactment by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. "The bill as passed by both houses, with amendments by the Senate and accepted by the House, cannot be changed or modified by mere discussion in the Viber group of the Senate majority bloc. This makes a mockery of the constitutional requirement of transparency when the legislature deliberates on and approves laws," Makabayan said. The bloc--composed of ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel--also threatened to take "legal action...to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that the interests of the Filipino people are protected". "We will not allow this kind of legislative shortcut to continue, especially when it involves public funds and the welfare of our fellow citizens," they said. Villar was the main defender of the MIF measure in the Senate.