SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez said that he would respect the decision of lawmakers who would oppose moves to amend the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal form of government, but stressed that these solons should not also resent if their provinces would not get any funding due to their choice.
“Of course, some provinces would not support the initiative, then they will get zero budget. We can’t give equal treatment to provinces which have supportive leaders and areas whose leaders oppose a federal form of government,” quipped Alvarez.
Early this week, Rep. Alfredo Benítez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District), in his official website, rushed to defend the Speaker who threatened to give a “zero budget” to local government leaders who will not support federalism. “I think what he was saying was his prerogative, or right, to decide, on who will be given or not.”
Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod partylist) called the accusations that the Lower House of Congress is railroading the process “unfair,” supported Alvarez that he will push the plan to convene Congress as a Constituent Assembly, with or without the participation of the Senate.
Whew, do our two Negrense lawmakers know the function of lawmaking? Last I checked, our political system still follows the 1987 Constitution as the fundamental law of the land. Pro and opposition senators emphasized that the Constitution is clear about the independence of the two chambers of Congress.
According to Article VI, The Legislative Department Section 1, “The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum….”
Presidential spokesman lawyer Harry Roque noted that the House cannot decide budget matters on its own because Congress consists of two chambers. He said that the executive branch would not interfere with Congress’s deliberations on charter change because of the principle of separation of powers.
Roque noted that the House cannot decide budget matters on its own because Congress consists of two chambers. “With regard to the budget, the passage of such law needs the concurrence of the House and the Senate,” he said.
Guess what? Alvarez admitted a few days ago that “Those are empty words, actually.” The Senate could restore the funding since it deliberates the budget bill after the House passes its version. He added, “You know, when you make speeches, you need to joke a little, right? That’s just it. I don’t know why they took it seriously.”
Yes, indeed, why did Benítez and Paduano defended a joke? This time, the joke is on Negrenses who took Benítez and Paduano seriously.
(bqsanc@yahoo.com)
