Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri (left), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House of Representatives members highlighted on Sunday, Feb. 18 the glaring difference between the leadership styles of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri. 

Romualdez leads the 300-plus strong House, while Zubiri leads the 24-member Senate. 

Citing the statements and promises made in connection with the current Charter change (Cha-cha) effort, House members Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman and Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin have noticed that Zubiri can't seem to put his foot down the way Romualdez can. 

“Here in the House, the rules are clear-cut. The Speaker (Romualdez) is in charge. He gives the command. He tells our Rules Committee chairman, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe: This is our priority. Find a way to have this bill passed,” Roman said. 

“Even if we have to work overtime, we will do it. We’re not the type who dilly-dally on our job here,” Roman, chairperson of the House committee on women and gender equality, stated further.  

Roman questioned the hierarchy and leadership dynamics in the Senate and sought clarification on who holds the real reins of power and decision-making. She said there should be a clear chain of command in order should leave no room for ambiguities. 

In his previous meetings with President Marcos and Speaker Romualdez, Zubiri has repeatedly promised them the economic amendments bill, or the Senate Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 they authored, will be passed by March or before Congress’ Holy Week break. 

But Senator Sonny Angara hinted that the passage may happen October. This is viewed as a possible setback to the Cha-cha effort, since the solons would hardly have any time by then. 

Garin wondered about the communication between the senators, from the leadership down to its members. 

“Minsan kasi sa Senado nako-confuse ka eh. Kung 'yung napag-uusapan ba ay naka-cascade dun sa mga miyembro because that's how leadership should be," said Garin, a House deputy majority leader. 

(The Senate can be confusing sometimes. We're not sure if the orders get cascaded to the members because that's how leadership should be.)  

"Maganda yun na nagkausap na si Speaker at 'yung ating Senate President, at nanggaling din naman sa Senado yung kanilang timeline na by March e matatapos ito," she said, referring RBH No.6. 

(It's good that the Speaker and our Senate President have talked, anyway the March timeline for the bill's passage came from the Senate.)