HANOI: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday lamented how the people's initiative (PI) issue has sowed discord between the two houses of Congress, adding his administration is seeking simpler solutions to the Constitutional amendment quandary.

"That's why we are asking former justices like Chief Luke (Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin )... our legal counsel and our soon-to-be centenarian legal counsel JPE (Juan Ponce Enrile). We are also asking our constitutionalists. What do they think is the best thing to do?" he said in English and Filipino during a roundtable with the Malacañang Press Corps at the Melia Hotel prior to wrapping up his two-day Vietnam state visit.

SHOW OF SOLIDARITY Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., House Majority Leader and Zamboanga Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Rizal Rep. Michael John Duavit, and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia announce on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, that a resolution will be passed on Monday, February 5, expressing support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. They also expressed their indignation over the Senate's alleged violation of the principle of interparliamentary courtesy in the ongoing conflict over the people's initiative campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution. PHOTO BY JOHN ORVEN VERDOTE

Marcos is set to meet with leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives to resolve their disagreement on the people's initiative.

"Now the best advice that we are getting: the best analysis and interpretation that we have is that the legislature is bicameral in nature, and therefore that implies that they will vote separately. So, how that will be done now is what we are trying to figure out, how will it be done so that both Houses' role in this bicameral system is preserved, and that is what we are working on right now," he said.

"We don't know yet. We haven't made those decisions yet. But I think as of now, the people's initiative is continuing, but I don't know if it's still one of the options that remain to us," he added.

Sen. Maria Josefa Imelda "Imee" Marcos on Wednesday said the flawed people's initiative is destroying the Marcos family's brand of service or legacy.

"We were given the second chance [to return to politics]. Why waste it this way? This is not how the Marcoses work. These arguments waste [the Marcos family's] political capital, so to speak," Senator Marcos said.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said the Senate would proceed with the Resolution of Both Houses 6 ( (RBH 6) after the President expressed doubt on the efficacy of the people's initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution.

"We hope this crisis will be averted soon. We intend to carefully study the options available to us to maintain the checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution through a bicameral legislature. We remain vigilant for our country and for our people," Zubiri said.

Zubiri expressed optimism that the subcommittee hearings on RBH 6 could start next week.

House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe appealed for the immediate passage of RBH 6.

"You pass RBH 6, the people's initiative will be dead in the water because everyone knows there can never be two initiatives in the span of five years," he said.

Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman said in the press conference on Tuesday, "Let's walk the talk. If you are serious about RBH 6, let us discuss it already. Let's start the ball rolling."

The people's initiative signature drive was allegedly masterminded by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a charge the lawmaker denied.

Romualdez said his involvement in the people's initiative was "purely advisory" as he acknowledged that representatives from the people's initiative had approached him for a meeting.

"I acknowledge that representatives from the people's initiative, including Mr. Noel Oñate, have approached me for a meeting. This encounter, held at my townhouse, was in the spirit of open dialogue and understanding of civic actions spearheaded by our citizens," Romualdez said.

Senate Majority Leader Emmanuel Joel Villanueva said Romualdez's letter to the Senate was an insult to the institution.

"Excuse me first, are you saying or admitting that you led this 'pekeng' (fake) initiative? You can no longer call it people's initiative (PI). I'm sorry this is an insult!... This is the very reason why we are so passionate and angered by this PI. It's like telling an unfaithful partner to also commit infidelity... Again, in that particular manner, I say this is an insult to the Senate," Villanueva said.

"The Senate will never allow itself to be hostage — history will bear me out — even by the most powerful person in the world. The Senate will not allow itself to be a hostage," he added.

In a related development, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it was ready to face any legal challenge to the additional P12 billion budget approved by Congress, which some alleged was intended for the people's initiative signature drive.

"We are open to it so that everybody would see where it is intended to be spent," Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Wednesday.

Garcia reiterated that the P12 billion budget was part of the Commission's original P19.4 billion budget that the Department of Budget and Management slashed before it was submitted to Congress.

Garcia said he had repeatedly asked Congress to restore the slashed P17.4 billion, but only P12 billion was approved to be brought back by the bicameral conference committee.

"The issue of our P12 billion additional budget was similarly raised at the Senate hearing. I reiterated that it was not for people's initiative or whatever plebiscite but part of our regular budget, like budget for education, budget for your information department, for our preparation for the 2025 local and national election, including the construction of several Comelec offices," added Garcia.

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