Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said that the Senate will not rush its review of the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, placing importance on transparency and accountability in the ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed amendments.
 

The Senate began its deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH 6) on Monday headed by Sen. Sonny Angara, which seeks to amend certain economic provisions of the Constitution pertaining to public services, education, and advertising where Villanueva also issued his statement on conducting hearings in tandem with probing PI proceedings.

Villanueva said that conducting hearings and investigations simultaneously is an integral part of the Senate’s work, highlighting its ability to balance its legislative responsibilities while fulfilling its oversight duties.

Villanueva reiterated that the Senate’s approach to the hearings would be exhaustive and thorough, in stark contrast to what he referred to as “fake PI” pushed by certain groups.

“Ang bottomline po dito is ginagawa ng Senado ay ‘yung ating trabaho. Trabaho po natin ito. Kaya naman namin isabay ang pagdinig at pag-investigate (The bottomline here is the Senate is doing its job. This is our job. We can conduct hearings and investigate at the same time),” Villanueva said.

“Kasi hindi naman tayo ganon ka-busy sa paggawa ng mga resolusyon supporting our Senate President or supporting Senator Imee Marcos kasi dito po sa Senado, alam na natin kung ano ‘yung tama at hindi na kailangan ng mga ganyan kasi alam naman nila na they have the support of the Senate (Because we're not too busy in creating resolutions supporting our Senate President or supporting Senator Imee Marcos because here in the Senate, we know what's right and we don't need those things because they know that they have the support of the Senate),” he added.

Last week, the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and Public Participation, chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos, also commenced its investigation into irregularities related to the ongoing people’s initiative (PI) to amend the Charter.

He assured the public that the Senate would not rush the process but would diligently follow its timetable, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the proceedings remain transparent.

“We began our hearing today consistent with our commitment, the commitment of our Senate President to the President, to explore and study amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution,"”Villanueva said in his opening statement in last Monday’s Senate hearing.

In addition, Villanueva seized the opportunity to address the criticism aimed at Senators Marcos, Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa, and Christopher “Bong” Go for conducting the Senate probe into the “fake PI” in Davao City, the Dutertes’ stronghold.

“Wala po tayong itatago dito at higit sa lahat wala pong kalokohan gaya ng mga nadiskubre ng ating mga kasamahan noong nagpunta sila sa Davao (There are no coverups here and most of all there are no deceptions like what our colleagues discovered when they went to Davao),” Villanueva stated.

Villanueva acknowledged that the Senate temporarily deviated from its original focus due to the ill-fated “Pekeng Initiative” supported by the House of Representatives. 

However, he clarified that the Senate’s primary objective is to amend only the economic provisions of the Constitution. 

He said that while the Senate remains focused on RBH 6 hearings, it also maintains vigilance and closely monitors the actions of its counterparts in the House to ensure consistency between their words and deeds.

“While we make sure that RBH 6 sticks to the original intention to amend only the economic provisions of the Constitution, we will also continue to be proactive in our measures to thwart unconstitutional Cha-cha efforts,” Villanueva emphasized.

“Kasama dito ang investigation diyan na pinangungunahan ni Senator Imee Marcos,” he added.

Addressing the recent ceasefire on the PI issue, Villanueva clarified that it pertained specifically to debates surrounding the “Pekeng Initiative.” 

However, he said that the ceasefire did not imply a halt to the ongoing inquiry and stressed that the Senate would continue to investigate any potential anomalies or discrepancies uncovered during the hearings. 

He underlined the importance of uncovering evidence and ensuring accountability, stating that the Senate would not turn a blind eye to any irregularities or questionable practices.

“Linawin ko lang po kasi yung sinasabing ‘ceasefire,’ eh ‘ceasefire’ sa usapin ng PI, kaya we will refrain from debating on this issue (I want to clarify that the so-called 'ceasefire' is a ceasfire in PI talks that's why we will refrain from debating on this issue,” Villanueva clarified. 

“Pero ‘yung ‘ceasefire’ po does not mean ‘cease working’ or ‘stop the PI inquiry’ . . . siyempre kung may nakita po tayong sablay (definitely if we see some anomalies)," he added.