A LAWMAKER from Mindanao on Tuesday expressed hope that the Senate isnot “deceiving” the people in delaying action on the proposed amendments to the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions.
Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo, chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, warned senators that time is running out on them on the proposed Charter amendments.
“So, I really hope and I have faith in the Senate. They are an independent institution. But I really hope that this is not ‘dribble-dribble’ politics. At the very least, the Filipino voters deserve to know how our senators stand,” Dimaporo said.
He was reacting to reports that the Senate has decided to shelve consideration of its version of the amendment proposals, contained in Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, until after the five-week Holy Week recess of Congress, which starts this weekend and ends on Apr. 28.
This developed as the House of Representatives is set to approve on third and final reading today (Wednesday) — the last day of session as Congress goes on a Lenten break — the Resolution of Both Houses 7 which proposes specific amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. RBH 7 replicates RBH 6, introduced by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Loren Legarda and Juan Edgardo Angara.
Dimaporo, in a press briefing, said in addition to RBH 6, senators have on their plate at least 33 of the priority measures identified by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council as the common legislative agenda of the executive and legislative branches.
“Now if you think about it, when we adjourn, we return on Apr. 29. I think we only have one month. Then we have a long break (May 25 to July 21), then it’s SONA (State of the
Nation Address). After SONA, it’s budget and we’re all very busy with the budget,” he said.