Senate-House word war: Ceasefire to be observed

MANILA, Philippines — It’s time for a ceasefire between the Senate and the House of Representatives after weeks of verbal clashes over the latest push for Charter change.

Senators Sonny Angara and Ronald dela Rosa revealed the development yesterday in an interview over radio dwIZ.

“The Senate President said there must be a ceasefire because the verbal exchange between the House and the Senate has become too hot,” Angara said, referring to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.

“If it helps improve the relationship between the House and the Senate, it will be good for the country,” he said.

“He (Zubiri) told me, things are getting hot, maybe Congress will be too distracted if the exchange of words continues. As long as we are on the issue and we’re not being personal, I think there is no problem,” he added.

Angara heads the Senate sub-committee on constitutional amendments tasked to tackle the Resolution of Both Houses 6, which calls for amendment of certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Zubiri earlier said the creation of the Senate sub-committee has the approval of committee chairman Sen. Robinhood Padilla.

Dela Rosa, for his part, said Zubiri and other senators agreed to shift their focus to pressing problems in the country, including the devastation in many parts of Mindanao due to flooding caused by heavy rains.

Dela Rosa said he felt ashamed trading barbs with other lawmakers over some political issues while Davaoeños were being battered by landslides and massive flooding.

“So it’s ceasefire now, I have to focus on helping my provincemates,” Dela Rosa said.

“They agree, they said Sen. Imee is right, SP (Senate President) agrees too and he is right, (that’s) a good decision,” he said referring to Zubiri and Sen. Imee Marcos, who presided over the two public hearings in Manila and in Davao City of the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation.

“Maybe they (senators) are tired too. They are cooperating and helping in Davao. Although there is no flooding in Ilocos and Bukidnon, they are also with us. I hope it will keep quiet for the good of the country,” Dela Rosa added.

He said even former president Rodrigo Duterte has