House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe on Tuesday, January 23, said they are disappointed that Senators are no longer interested in discussing the Resolution of Both Houses (RHB) No. 6 which seek to amend economic provisions in the Philippine 1987 Constitution through constitutional convention.
Dalipe issued the statement after Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva pronounced that "a lot of senators are not interested anymore in pushing for" the RBH No. 6 due to the allegation that the House leadership is behind the People's Initiative which the Senate had rejected.
"With profound disappointment, the House of Representatives addresses the recent statements from Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva [...]These claims, grounded in allegations linking the House leadership to the people's initiative, are not only baseless but also regrettably cast a shadow over the collaborative efforts required for constitutional reforms," he said.
"If Senator Villanueva's assertion holds true, it is disheartening that certain senators perceive ghosts without substantial evidence," Dalipe added.
Basahin> statement ni House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe sa pag-urong ng Senado na isulong ang RBH No. 6 para sa mungkahing amyenda sa economic provisions ng 1987 Consti @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/P01lB7ikw9
— milky rigonan 💋 (@milkyrigonan) January 23, 2024
The house majority leader refuted claims that it was House Speaker Martin Romualdez who ordered the reported paid signature campaign to push for charter change, saying that this only stirs "unwarranted doubts and distractions."
He added that President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. may been "fed with false information, having led to believe that the Senate had already pledged its support for constitutional economic reforms."
Dalipe took note that the Senate has "unfortunately blocked repeatedly efforts to amend" what he called an "outdated" Philippine 1987 Constitution for over 36 years.
"It is crucial that we set aside our differences and unite in our efforts to bring about meaningful constitutional reforms that will positively impact our nation," he furthered.
