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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gaining 18 votes for econ Cha-cha a 'big challenge' - Zubiri

Gaining 18 votes for econ Cha-cha a 'big challenge' - Zubiri

Published Mar 6, 2024 09:07 am

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said on Wednesday, March 6 said it would be a "big challenge" to secure three-fourths or 18 votes in the Senate in pushing to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

In a press conference, Zubiri said that he even told President Marcos that it would be challenging to garner 18 signatures.

"Ang banggit ko lang kay Presidente it may be challenging kasi nga marami may mga kasamahan po tayo na ayaw talaga nila ng Charter change (What I told the President is it would be challenging because a lot of our colleagues are not into Charter-change (Cha-cha)," he said.

Zubiri pointed to the rift between the House of Representatives and the Senate as one of the factors that made it challenging considering there have been trust issues that come out of it.

"Isang factor din po yan kasi nagkakaroon nga ng (That's a factors because there's now) trust issues. Nabanggit ko kay Presidente yan, Mr. President (I have mentioned this to the President)," he said.

"But im not saying its impossible, in the rein of possibilities we could still get three-fourths votes, 18 signatures or 18 votes but at this point in time it's a challenge. So we work on the challenge one step at a time," he added.

Zubiri said that they will stick with the commitment to discuss the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 and the discussions with the stakeholders.

"So pagdating po ng panahon na sa botohan na ay ibang usapan po yan (But when it comes to voting it will be different issue), we will have to make our case to our colleagues na (that) this is necessary," he said.

Over the weekend, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said there is a possibility the minority bloc can muster 8 votes against RBH 6.

Among the senators who have categorically been vocal against Charter change, so far, are Hontiveros, Pimentel, and Sen. Cynthia Villar. According to Pimentel, Sen. Mark Villar may also side with his mother’s position on the issue.

Villar had earlier said she finds the proposition to change the economic provisions in the present Charter unnecessary.

Related Tags

Senate President Juan Miguel F.  Zubiri Charter change 1987 Constitution Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Senator Risa Hontiveros
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