No political amendments in plenary on RBH 7 – House leaders

MANILA – Leaders of the House of Representatives on Thursday assured the public that Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez would not allow the introduction of any political amendments in Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 when it is taken up in a plenary session starting on Monday.

This is in reaction to apprehensions aired by some members of the Makabayan bloc, saying that the House proper might entertain political amendments when it tackles the resolution proposing for economic constitutional changes at the plenary.

Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin said the adoption of proposals that are political in nature "is very impossible."

"I believe, talking to most members of the House, almost all are supportive of the (resolution) ay limited duon sa tatlong amendments (public utilities, basic education, and advertising)," she told a news briefing.

I believe, talking to most members of the House, almost all are supportive of the (resolution) is limited for the three amendments.)

Garin, also a deputy majority leader of the Committee of the Whole House, said it would be political suicide if they included political amendments.

Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo echoed Garin's appeal for the Makabayan bloc to trust their colleagues in the majority that there will be no political agenda in the approval of RBH 7.

He said supporters of RBH 7 would oppose any attempt on the part of any member to add political amendments to the resolution.

"Kami po na nandito ang mag-o-oppose kung sakali may isa pang kongresista o isang tao na magpasok ng ika nga political agenda dito sa ating Charter change," Rillo said.

(We in the panel will oppose it if ever a congressman or individual would introduce political agenda to our Charter change.)

"Kaya, we give the assurance not only to our counterparts, the Senate but to the people na kakampi niyo po ang Kongreso. Ang aming ginagawa po dito is very clear, the marching orders is to improve the economic provisions."

(We give the assurance not only to our counterparts, the Senate, but to the people that Congress is your partner.)

He said the House is working only for the people by improving the economy to produce more jobs.

Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the two-week deliberation of the Committee of the Whole on RBH 7 "is proof that we only limited our discussion to economic provisions."

He said the committee invited resource persons only on public utilities, education, and advertising – the areas covered by the proposed amendments.

Adiong said lawmakers should also trust President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. "because the President is very clear that what he wants is just to revisit the economic provisions."

"So, I think what we have witnessed in the previous days and weeks is already enough evidence to dispel in any rumors, apprehension, or any tsismis na sinasabing baka ma-expand ang coverage ng in the discussion in the coming days," he said.

So, I think what we have witnessed in the previous days and weeks is already enough evidence to dispel in any rumors, apprehension, or any rumor that the coverage would be expanded in the discussion in the coming days.) (PNA)