EVEN if there's a supermajority in the House of Representatives, the Senate, though there are allies of the administration, are more independent.
Senators actually have expressed concern that former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took over the Speakership of the House Monday, July 23, just minutes before President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his State of the Nation Address.
Majority of the congressmen have ousted then House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito claimed most of them are suspecting that the ascension of Arroyo to the speakership was part of her strategy to perpetuate heels in power to be the prime minister of the country.
He said the situation in the House was already at the boiling point that's why Arroyo became a viable alternative.
He stressed that having Arroyo as the third most powerful person in the country will not look good in the thrust and image of the administration, which is hellbent in fighting graft and corruption.
Arroyo, when she was president from 2001 to 2010, was accused of plunder and corruption.
He said senators agreed they will not entertain any calls for a joint session to tackle Charter Change. He added some of the senators, including him, fought the administration of Arroyo.
Perhaps the House members did already forget, but not the Senate.