MANILA: Leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives will meet to lessen the legal and constitutional obstacles to the economic charter change proposals.

House Deputy Speaker David Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) said in a press conference Monday that the “best route” to take once Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 is approved on final reading is to work with the Senate.

He expressed hope that the Senate will “find enough time in their hands” to approve RBH 6 as the House is expected to pass its version by Wednesday.

‘Kinakailangan lang po talaga natin malaman sa Senate kung kailan at kung anong buwan maipapasa nila ‘yung version nila. Ang mahalaga naman po talaga dito is mapagbotohan ito ng ating mga mamamayan. Ang dulo parati nito (What we need to know is when the Senate will pass its version. What’s important is for the citizens to vote on this. The end game) will be a plebiscite. So, it is important for us to allow the Filipino people to decide on the proposed amendments,’ he said.

Suarez urged
senators to maximize the March 23 to April 28 break by reflecting on the proposed economic constitutional amendments.

‘We can pray for enlightenment. We can hope for discernment so that we can meet. Kasi talagang importanteng-importante na po ito para sa ating bansa (Because this is very crucial for the country),’ he said.

He said they expect the resolutions, if approved by the two chambers of Congress and sent to the Commission on Elections for the scheduling of a plebiscite, to be questioned before the Supreme Court.

‘May mga sektor na handa nang maghahabla ng kaso sa Supreme Court. So mas maganda kung maghahabla ng kaso at may mga legal questions na kailangan mabigyan ng kaliwanagan. Maganda ‘yung both Houses mag-usap para ma-address na kaagad natin ito (There are certain sectors that are ready to file a case before the Supreme Court. It’s good to file a case and ask legal questions to provide clarity. It would be beneficial for both Houses to meet and address this) moving forward,’ he said.

Under RBH
6 and 7, the proposed changes are on the grant of legislative franchises to and ownership (60-40) of public utilities in Article Xll, ownership of basic educational facilities (60-40) in Article XlV, and ownership of advertising firms (70-30) in Article XVl.

Source: Philippines News Agency