It seems the word war between the House of Representatives and the Senate is far from over.
At least three members of the House scored Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri for what they perceived as insincerity and weak leadership.
Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun flagged Zubiri for what he felt was double talk when the Senate President smoked the peace pipe with Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez over the contentious issue of Charter change (Cha-cha).
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin chimed in, saying they also discerned an “apparent pattern of what some may call a supposed leadership vacuum in the Senate.”
“We are puzzled with the recent actions of the Senate with regard to their treatment of the House leadership and our institution,” Khonghun said.
Zubiri earlier said he and Speaker Romualdez have agreed to stop the word war between their chambers and to “work professionally.”
“Yet, on the same day, senators resumed and even intensified their attack on the House by claiming that we inserted a P27-billion ‘ayuda to the poor’ in the 2024 national budget for the people’s initiative campaign,” Khonghun noted.
“This latest incident leaves us now wondering: Has the Senate President lost his moral ascendancy to lead the Senate or is he takingus or a ride? Are his colleagues not heeding his sentiments or is he really fooling us?” he asked.
The documents on the House-Senate conference committee report on this year’s budget “are now out in public,” Khonghun added.
“These documents contain the signatures of senators and congressmen who approved the report, which was ratified in plenary by both the Senate and the House,” he said.
Among those who signed the report was Senator Imee Marcos, who has started questioning the P26.7-billion Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program, which is part of this year’s budget.
Marcos, who was a conference committee member, claimed that the details of the report were not discussed.
“She should have read the document in detail. AKAP was there. She should have asked questions there and then before signing it.” Khonghun said.
The purpose of AKAP is “very clear” in the budget and its implementer is the Department of Social Welfare and Development, he stressed.
“The fund is not connected at all with the people’s initiative campaign,” he said.
Zubiri previously agreed to a ceasefire but claimed Senator Imee Marcos was beyond his power.“Here in the House, the rules are clear-cut. The Speaker (Ferdinand Martin Romualdez) is in charge. He gives the command. He tells our rules committee chairman, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe: This is our priority. Find a way to have this bill passed,” Roman said.“Even if we have to work overtime, we will do it. We’re not the type who dilly-dally on our job here,” she added.“In the Upper House, who is in charge? Who’s on top? Who’s on the bottom? Si SP Migz ba o si Senator Joel (Is it Zubiri or Villanueva)?” she asked.“I’d like to find out. Please enlighten me; it’s for the sake of efficiency,” Roman added.She questioned the hierarchy and leadership dynamics within the Senate, seeking clarification on who holds the real reins of power and decision-making, insisting there should be a clear chain of command that should leave no room for ambiguities.Garin, for her part, called on the senators to walk the talk.“There are times that you get confused at the Senate. Whatever has been discussed must be cascaded down to the members because that’s how leadership should be,” she noted.