As executive officials skip Cha-cha hearings, senators float switch to parliamentary gov't

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Protesters outside Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City rail against fresh moves to amend the Constitution in the House of Representatives on January 26, 2020.

Released / Makabayan bloc

 

MANILA, Philippines — Arguing that a parliamentary system will prove to be better at exacting accountability from officials, some senators pushed for a shift to this form of government as they expressed dissatisfaction at the failure of executive branch officials to show up at hearings on proposals to change the Constitution.

 

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, chairperson of the constitutional amendments and revision of codes panel, fumed during the third hearing on Charter change on Friday as he said officials invited from the executive branch, including those from the Department of Energy and the National Economic and Development Authority, excused themselves from attending.

 

“Kapag iniimbita sana itong mga taga-executive, sana po ay mapagbibigyan niyo kami sapagkat hindi naman po kami dito mga Marites o Parites. Iyon pong aming gusto namin, kasama po kayo, ay patungkol po sa Konstitusyon. Itong bagay na ito ay hindi po ito isang bagay na isinasantabi sapagkat po Saligang Batas po ito,” Padilla said.

 

(When we invite these people from the executive, hopefully you would grant our request because we are now rumor mongers here. What we want is for you to join us in discussions on the Constitution. This thing is not something that we should set aside because we’re talking about the fundamental law.)

 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/09/02/2206922/executive-officials-skip-cha-cha-hearings-senators-float-switch-parliamentary-govt

 

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