Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe (Contributed photo)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez's "olive branch" to the Senate on the matter of Charter change (Cha-cha) hasn't been reciprocated. 

Such was Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Mannix Dalipe's takeaway amid "certain senators" attacks on the House of Representatives and Romualdez himself. 

"The Speaker, in a gesture of goodwill and with an unwavering commitment to our democratic principles, extended an olive branch to our counterparts in the Senate, signaling a readiness to collaboratively amend our Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). Yet, this earnest endeavor to fortify the pillars of our republic was met not with reciprocation but with betrayal, as certain senators opted to wield their words like daggers, aiming at the very heart of legislative camaraderie," Dalipe said. 

The Mindanao solon was referring to the Senate's Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which seeks to convene the House and the Senate into a Con-Ass for the purpose of amending the 1987 Constitution. 

Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House, has committed in no uncertain terms to support the Senate measure, which in itself is a rare pro-Cha-cha move from the chamber. 

Despite this, Dalipe claimed that some senators have tried to undermine the House's integrity and the collaborative efforts it offered. 

“Respect begets respect. By undermining the House, the Senate not only sows discord within the halls of Congress but also risks alienating the representatives of more than 300 legislative districts, potentially losing their respect and cooperation, essential for any legislative body to function effectively,” Dalipe said. 

The House and the Senate--which comprise Philippine Congress--appear to be headed at an impasse over the way the existing Charter should be revised, if at all. 

For the House, this Cha-cha has been about unleashing the country’s potential by lifting the supposedly restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. 

For the Senate, it's been about checks and balances; but the tirades from among its 24 members have rubbed congressmen the wrong way. 

“Let us not muddle the issues. Let us all go back to work and join hands in amending the Constitution using the mode of [Con-Ass]. Our focus should be on lifting the restrictive economic provisions that restrict the inflows of foreign investments into the country,” Dalipe said. 

The majority leader said the rift between the two legislative chambers "hampers our collective ability to address the pressing issues facing our nation – from economic recovery and infrastructure development to healthcare and education". 

"As representatives of the Filipino people, we are duty-bound to rise above petty politics and work hand in hand for the betterment of our beloved Philippines. It is imperative that we mend the fissures caused by such unprovoked hostilities and realign our focus towards the monumental task of constitutional reform, in the spirit of cooperation and for the greater good of our country," he added.