Amid ouster rumors, Migz told: Deliver Cha-cha votes

Administration lawmakers yesterday challenged Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to fulfill his promise to President Marcos that he can muster the 18 votes needed for economic reforms in the 1987 Constitution.

- DELON PORCALLA

“I think it is now incumbent on the Senate President to show his leadership to muster enough votes so that we can get the Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 approved in the Senate,” Deputy Speaker David Suarez told reporters at a regular briefing.

Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, who also joined the press conference, said based on the statements of Sen. Cynthia Villar, four allies of the Chief Executive have expressed apprehension over Charter amendments, so they should listen to the President.

“If they are really allies, they would actually listen to the request of the President to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution,” Roman, who chairs the House committee on women and gender equality, said.

Another pro-Charter change (Chacha) proponent, La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega, surmised that senators may just be testing the waters, so to speak, or “just throwing a number” for whatever purpose it may serve them, but would do well if they focus on hearings.

“I’m more focused on the statement that businessmen… according to the senators, are not in favor (of Cha-cha). For me, they should engage in the Senate’s hearings on RBH6 because it is there that advantages and disadvantages surface,” Ortega said.

“Especially if these are business tycoons, moguls or big business people, then they should weigh in on the pros and cons. So I suggest that they attend the hearings also here in the House,” he added.