By Sammy F. Martin
MANILA, June 11 (PNA) — Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., late Wednesday night decided not to put into a vote his proposed economic Charter Change (Cha-cha) after he failed to get the needed number to pass on third and final reading the controversial measure.
In a chance interview right after Belmonte declared the second regular session adjourn sine die, he admitted that his best is not good enough because he failed to convince and muster the needed 119 solid vote in his favor.
The law mandates that it need three fourth votes of the total 191 regular members and the magic number is 119. Solons who responded to the roll call on the last day of session is 267 but a big chunk of them were not supportive of economic Cha-cha.
But the witty lawmaker said it is “not yet over until it’s over” because there is still time to pass the measure when they come back on July 27, the start of third regular session.
Belmonte refused to elaborate on what decided the numbers as he clarified that Malacanang had nothing to do with it who already claimed in the past that they are not interested to push Cha-cha. He said it also had nothing to do with the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“Walang numbers. We didn’t have the numbers. We decided we didn’t like to take the risk,” he told reporters waiting for any eventuality. “Wala naman. Walang phone calls from the President.”
“What I wanted to do was show it could be done, but frankly, given only 21 senators and some of them have… ‘di rin naman sila interesado sa measure, it would have been a gesture on our part.”
Belmonte indicated some congressmen didn’t want to just amend the economic provisions. His statement in the evening was a far cry from the optimism earlier in the day.
In his sine die speech, Belmonte said that the bill, which was approved on 2nd reading last week, is the most advanced any attempted amendment has gone.
He said toward improving the competencies and productivity of our human resources, we have enacted into laws the following during the Second Regular Session — Ladderized Education Program; Iskolar ng Bayan Act and the Open Learning through Distance Education in Post- Secondary and Tertiary Levels Act.
“Soon we will also have a law providing for Open High School System for Out of School Youth and Adults. We have also passed on third reading the bill on the Promotion of Positive Discipline and Non-violent Discipline of Children.
He said they have also approved on third reading the Strengthening of the Crop Insurance System; Promotion of Micro-Enterprise Development Institutions; Amendments to RA 8974 to Facilitate the Acquisition of Right-of-Way and Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act.
According to the House leadership, under consideration of its respective bicameral conference committees are the Unified Student Financial Assistance for Higher and Technical Education, and the Act Strengthening the Probation System. Amendments to the Cabotage Law will be sent to the President for his signature in the coming days.
“But let me highlight two other measures which we have just passed as historic firsts. But more than the historical significance, these initiatives pose tremendous impact to our economy. First, we have approved on Second Reading the Resolution of Both Houses Amending the Restrictive Economic Provisions of the Constitution. No other similar measure in the past has reached that stage of second reading. Second, we have just ratified the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Fair Competition Act or Anti-Trust Act, a measure that has been pending in this Chamber since 1989, a clear 26 years between its inception and its approval by all of us during this 2nd Regular session,” he pointed out.
These measures, when passed, would transform the economic landscape of the country into a modern, outward-looking economy that benefits and provides opportunities for the vast majority of our people.
To further insure that every Filipino benefits from economic growth, we have passed on third reading the Magna Carta of the Poor and the Internal Displacement Act.
Belmonte said they have also approved on third and final reading, measures on the proper utilization and protection of our natural resources and environment and the protection of our territory. These measures includes, Prevention of Marine Pollution; Delineation of the Maritime Zones of the Philippines, and Establishment of Archipelagic Sea Lanes in Philippine Waters.
To sustain and institutionalize our fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance, we have amended the Sandiganbayan Law to enhance its organizational and operational efficiency in discharging its functions.
Belmonte earlier said it’s now or never for his Resolution of Both Houses 1 otherwise known as economic Cha-cha. Despite the presence of a quorum of 267. Malacanang has been cold to any moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Under the proposal of Belmonte, the proposal would have gone to the Senate for its consideration and its 3/4 vote to comply with the Constitution. (PNA)