(ABANTE) Nagpahayag ng pagkadismaya si Senador Jinggoy Estrada matapos igiit ng ilang lider ng House of Representatives ang kanilang posisyon sa isyu ng pagboto sa Charter Change.
Ito’y matapos sabihin ni Senior Deputy Speaker at Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. at Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre na hindi katulad ng Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 ng Senado, ang Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 naman ng Kamara ay mas constitutional at ganap na sumusunod sa batas.
“I respect the opinions and role of my colleagues from the House of Representatives but I believe that they are mistaken in their interpretation of the Constitution,” sabi ni Estrada sa isang statement.
“The power to propose amendments to the Constitution was given not to a unicameral body, but to a bicameral body—which is what we have today–composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.”
“The word ‘Congress’ in this provision refers to the entire legislative branch, not just the House of Representatives,” diin pa niya.
Ayon kay Estrada, malinaw ang nakasaad sa Article XVII, Section 1 ng 1987 Constitution, na anumang pag-amiyenda o pagrebisa ng Konstitusyon ay maaring isulong sa pamamagitan ng: (1) Ang Kongreso, kung saan kailangang magkaroon ng 3/4 na lahat ng miyembro o (2) sa pamamagitan ng Constitutional Convention.
“It is reasonable to assert that any proposed amendment or revision to the Constitution should be voted on separately by both Houses of Congress,” punto ng senador.
Sabi ni Estrada, ang posisyon ay naibahagi na dati ng mga dating lider ng Senado na si Franklin Drilon at Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel Jr. maging ang mga dating justice ng Supreme Court ay nagsabing ang voting process ay dapat gawin ng hiwalay at hindi magkasama.
“Kung yung ultimo mga local bills, pagpapalit ng pangalan ng mga kalsada ay dumadaan sa Senado para pagbotohan at aprubahan, ano pa kaya itong pag-aamyenda ng Saligang Batas,” saad ni Estrada.
“Ignoring the Senate’s role and voice in the amendment process would violate the principle of bicameralism and the separation of powers. It would also undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the proposed changes, as they would not reflect the will of the entire Filipino people, but only a fraction of their representatives,” babala pa niya. (Dindo Matining)