MEMBERS of the House of Representatives on Thursday expressed optimism that the leadership of Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri would be be able to muster 18 votes in the Senate to pass amendments to the restrictive provisions of the Constitution.
During the daily press briefing at the House of Representatives, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo said they are confident that Zubiri’s vast experience as a lawmaker and former majority leader in the Senate, he can wield influence over his fellow senators.
“If there is a will, there is a way. Popular saying po ‘yan. Sa Tagalog po, kung gusto ay maraming paraan. Kung ayaw, maraming dahilan. So, ako po ay optimistic pa rin,” said Adiong, also the chair of the House Special Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation.
“Given his track record as a legislator. He is one of the best Majority Leaders that the Senate has ever produced. He has all the available techniques, strategies to come up with this number. In fact, that he’s still there as the Senate President proves that he has the numbers to deliver,” Adiong said.
Adiong said the recent adoption by the Senate of the internal rules and procedures on how they would handle the economic Charter amendments contained in Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 now pending in the Senate is an assurance of Zubiri’s commitment.
“Optimistic pa rin po ako dahil unang-una, SP (Zubiri) has already given his assurance to the President. Remember in one of his interviews in previous months, he claimed that he sat with the President many times including some of the senators, his colleagues,” he added.
“In fact, he is one of the authors of RBH 6. SP Migz, who is really a dear friend to me, lahat naman yata kaibigan si SP Migz, amiable na tao po iyan. So, maybe he can use that, his charm, if he’s having trouble garnering votes of 18,” Adiong said.
Rillo agreed with Adiong, saying he has nothing but high respect for Zubiri.
“He’s one of the best congressman the country has ever produced, one of the best senators, one of the best Majority Floor Leaders, even one of the best Senate Presidents,” Rillo said.
Mustering 18 votes in the Senate to pass RBH No. 6 will be a test of leadership for Zubiri, said the Quezon City lawmaker.
“Now it is a challenge to his leadership because this time, ngayon naiintindihan na ng taong-bayan na talagang ang Cha-cha ay para sa tao. More jobs, more business investors, lowering the inflation — pagbaba ng pangunahing bilihin, pagkakaroon ng pagkain sa hapag kainan ng bawat Pilipino,” Rillo said.
“Iyan po ang inaprubahan ng Kongreso ng tao. Ipinapasa na po naming ang bola sa Senado. Now, it is a big challenge to the leadership of our Senate President that if they are truly for the people, they would do their part because as we have said, we have concentrated more on the economic provisions,” he added
“I know Senator Migz. Gaya ng sinabi ko, idol po namin yan. Very good legislator. I know that you know they would prove to the Filipino people that they are not for the oligarchs but for the Filipino people.”
For Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, it is not impossible for Zubiri if real service to the Filipino people is on the line.
“Well, I respect Senator Migz Zubiri, pero syempre mahirap kasing sabihin mong imposible ang isang bagay na hindi mo pa sinisimulan. Nothing is impossible if you want real service to the Filipino people,” she said.
“Layunin at hangad at obligasyon ng bawat legislator ‘yung tugunan ang pangangailangan ng pamilyang Pilipino at ng Pilipinas. So, I firmly believe na kapag mawala na itong mga fake news tungkol sa economic Cha-cha, ay lalabas na ang tapang ng karamihan ng ating mga senador na ipasa ang panukalang batas na ito,” Garin added.
“We believe that it’s just a matter of time for the Senate to embrace the real change that our country needs. It might actually be a test of his leadership on how he can bring to the people the discussion on the real intent of economic Cha-cha.”
