House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe (Screenshot from Zoom)

House Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe says the Senate's pro-Charter change (Cha-cha) is akin to "finally seeing the light". 

In a statement Tuesday, Jan. 16, Dalipe said he was "satisfied" with Senate's decision to join forces with the House of Representatives in the quest to amend the 1987 Constitution. 

“In an extraordinary development for our nation, the Senate has finally seen the light, embracing the House's longstanding belief in the necessity of constitutional amendments,” he said. 

“This newfound unity between the two legislative bodies signifies a significant stride forward for our country," added the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwart. 

On Monday, Jan. 15, Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which essentially called for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) for the purpose of constitutional revision.  

Before this, the Senate had consistently ignored for years multiple attempts from the other legislative chamber--the House of Representatives--to tweak the existing Charter, particularly its restrictive economic provisions. 

The filing of RBH No.6 came as the signature campaign for a People's Initiative (PI)--a Cha-cha mode that is mostly driven by the public instead of the legislators--steadily gained traction in the countryside. 

Dalipe commended the Senate for recognizing the urgency and importance of this matter, and noted that it reflected their commitment to national governance. 

He also praised the Zubiri's confidence in securing the needed support for this initiative. The majority leader likewise expressed his appreciation for the Senate's dedication to passing the amendments in the first quarter of 2024, 

“The alignment of the Senate and the House in amending the Constitution not only exemplifies legislative cooperation but also reinforces our dedication to advancing the welfare of our nation,” Dalipe said. 

“We are encouraged by the Senate's acknowledgement of the House's position and look forward to collaborating closely to ensure the effective passage and implementation of these constitutional amendments,” he further said. 

The House and the Senate comprise the bicameral Philippine Congress.