đź“· Senate of the Philippines | Facebook
AMID rift between two equal chambers, newly-installed Senate President Francis Escudero is seriously considering the idea of the Senate mending differences with the House of Representatives – but not without conditions.
For a start, Escudero hinted at plans to meet House Speaker Martin Romualdez to discuss the legislative bill seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“He is my counterpart in the House and as I’ve said earlier, I expect to meet with him soon during the break to discuss the relationship, mending what needs to be mended, and establishing rules and protocols on how to coordinate with respect to what they are pushing for and with respect to what the Senate is pushing for, and to be able to coordinate and avoid misunderstandings or any miscommunication,” Escudero said in reference to the mudslinging of both chambers.
“Sana maayos, wala nang palitan ng maanghang na salita dahil kahit naman di kami nagkakasundo sa isa, tatlo o maraming bagay, di rason yun para maghugas kami ng maduming damit ika nga sa publiko at magsabihan ng kung ano-anong salita na di parliamentary,” the Senate leader added.
He also finds it unparliamentary for members of both chambers to trade barbs even as he cited the need to resolve differences in a civil manner.
“Sa loob o sa labas man ng plenaryo, di bagay sa mambabatas magsalita ng unparliamentary remarks, doon muna siguro kami magsisimula bago namin pag-usapan yung ibang mga bagay pa,” he further noted.
Escudero admits, most senators are not inclined on voting for the Senate Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, mindful of the possibility of dissolving the power of the Senate as institution.
The House version refers to amendments being approved by a vote of all the members of Congress, which translates to Senate’s 24 as against 300 for the House of Representatives.
“Yun ang kailangan pa hanapin. Ako ba na nagtatanong at may duda kailangan maghanap o yung may gusto at nagtutulak nito ang kailangan maghanap ng solusyon?, ” Escudero quipped. (ANGEL F. JOSE)
