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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider What happened to decorum? Villafuerte says Senate PI probe ditches inter-parliamentary courtesy

What happened to decorum? Villafuerte says Senate PI probe ditches inter-parliamentary courtesy

Published Feb 3, 2024 05:40 am

At A Glance

  • The ongoing Senate investigation on the recent People's Initiative (PI) movement for Charter change (Cha-cha) "contravene[s] inter-parliamentary courtesy" in Congress, says Bicol-based congressmen led by Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte.
  • It has been heavily insinuated in the PI hearings led by Senator Imee Marcos that House Speaker Martin Romualdez had direct involvement in the PI.

The ongoing Senate investigation on the recent People’s Initiative (PI) movement for Charter change (Cha-cha) "contravene[s] inter-parliamentary courtesy" in Congress.

This was the stand of Bicol-based congressmen led by Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, who insisted Saturday, Feb. 3 that the PI was "initiated by private groups long yearning for [Cha-cha]".

“The current Senate hearings on the PI process...in which the House of Representatives and its leaderships have surprisingly and unfortunately become the subject of the inquiry, contravene inter-parliamentary courtesy and reek of undue interference by members of one chamber in the official acts of legislators belonging to the other," Villafuerte said.

The 300-member House of Representatives, which Villafuerte belongs to, and the 24-member Senate comprise Philippine Congress.

“In a bicameral set-up such as the Philippine Congress, respect, civility and decorum among members of both chambers forbid legislators belonging to one body to be investigating those of the other,” Villafuerte said.

"And more so when there is actually nothing to investigate about such peers. There is no room for such a breach in the spirit of bicameralism as members of the Senate and the House are co-equals in our national legislature.”

It has been heavily insinuated in the PI hearings led by Senator Imee Marcos that House Speaker Martin Romualdez had direct involvement in the PI--supposedly a purely civilian endeavor toward constitutional revision.

Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party (NUP), issued his remarks in support of the House and Romualdez with fellow Camarines Sur solons Reps. Miguel “Migz” Luis Villafuerte, Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan.

The four congressmen said that “ending the Senate inquiry now would be a sign of good faith in the Congress’ long-sought joint push for RHB No.6".

Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 was filed by Senate leader Jan. 15, specifically to pursue revisions to the 1987 Constitution's economic provisions through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). For some reason, senators didn't immediately pursue hearings on the measure.

This will reportedly change this coming week, as the Senate has announced the conduct of hearings on RBH No.6.

The House passed last year its very own RBH No.6, also limited Cha-cha to economic reforms, specifically the antiquated provisions that limited foreign participation in Philippine businesses.

Related Tags

Sen. Imee Marcos People’s Initiative lray villafuerte
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