Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – The Senate will suggest a caucus with House of Representatives leaders to discuss issues on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha), heeding the call of a senior congressman to refrain from airing their grievances in public.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said in a press briefing on Monday that he is open to a dialogue with the House to discuss economic reforms only.
“My open-mindedness is for us to discuss this issue. We’re not closing our doors for discussion. We’re not closing our doors for that meeting. It does not mean that my position has changed. It only means that we want to discuss further with them how to proceed with [this],” Zubiri told reporters.
In a radio interview on Friday, Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said they must sit down and privately settle their feud over the push for Cha-cha, instead of quarrelling in public.
Zubiri likewise clarified reports that he prevented Sen. Robinhood Padilla, chair of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Codes, from inviting House leaders to a hearing on Monday.
As tradition dictates, Zubiri said the Senate does not invite incumbent members of Congress as resource persons as they are accorded parliamentary courtesy, being members of a co-equal branch of government.
Zubiri said as a neophyte senator, Padilla “may not yet be fully abreast with the traditions and practices of both chambers.”
“This tradition is to protect him and his committee as well as we want to avoid a scenario in which conflicting opinions and heated arguments may take place, putting the chairperson in a bind, particularly on how to rule on such discussions,” Zubiri said.
He assured the Senate is not standing in the way of the committee hearings.
In a separate press briefing, Padilla said he is “sad” over the developments as he is intent on Cha-cha. (PNA)
