House leaders slam Senate's 'constitutional crisis' remark on people's initiative

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 28) — Some ranking leaders of the House of Representatives expressed their dismay over the Senate's view that the people's initiative would supposedly turn into a "constitutional crisis."

"It is disheartening to see Senate President (Juan Miguel) Zubiri jump to the conclusion of a constitutional crisis instead of embracing the spirit of collaboration put forth by Speaker (Martin) Romualdez," House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said Sunday. "We need dialogue, not doomsday predictions."

In a statement on Friday, Zubiri said he had read Romualdez's letter to support the Senate's push to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

The Senate president, however, said the current people's initiative, a move largely backed by the House, is "flawed and unconstitutional."

"We have warned about a possible constitutional crisis and tried to avoid it," Zubiri said. "But unfortunately, it seems that this is slowly happening."

He said he was hoping that "this crisis will be averted soon" as they study options "to maintain the checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution through a bicameral legislature."

READ: Senate studying options after Marcos cha-cha meeting

"Instead of fueling discord, we must engage in constructive dialogue to find a consensus that addresses the economic concerns without jeopardizing the stability of our constitutional framework," Dalipe said.

House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. argued that the comment "only exacerbates an already contentious situation," adding that "this is a time for dialogue, not escalating tensions."

Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez said he was disappointed with the "swift dismissal."

"We risk further polarization and gridlock by prematurely labeling the situation as a constitutional crisis," Suarez warned. "The responsibility lies with both chambers to navigate this complex terrain with prudence and a commitment to the democratic process."

The Senate issued a manifesto on Jan. 23 that warned against "any sinister and underhanded attempt to change the Constitution by exploiting our democratic process under the guise of a people's initiative." 

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said the manifesto is "apparently portraying a demonized image" of supporters of the people's initiative.

The people's initiative is one of the modes of amending the 1987 Constitution. The other two ways are through a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention.

"Some senators feign support for Cha-cha but exploit every opportunity to halt it," Barbers said, as he argued that they don't want to use the three modes.

"They don't want to get out of their 'comfort zones.' This has been their modus operandi since 1987," he claimed.

The People's Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) is conducting a signature campaign to push for charter change via people's initiative. It supports the modification of a constitutional provision allowing the House and Senate to vote jointly, instead of separately, in amending the Constitution.

Opposition lawmakers are questioning the legality of the push, noting that the only law that can be cited to support it has been deemed insufficient by the Supreme Court. 

The ongoing campaign has been stained with vote-buying allegations and claims that Romualdez is behind the order for lawmakers to gather signatures.

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