The Makabayan bloc within the House of Representatives on Wednesday “condemned” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund invoice.
The bloc took situation with Zubiri mentioning corrections within the measure as “discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group.”
“The Makabayan Bloc strongly condemns the approval of the so-called ‘corrected’ Maharlika Investment Fund bill by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. This bill is nothing more than a thinly-veiled attempt to push for legislation via Viber groups, which is unconstitutional and a blatant disregard for the democratic process,” Makabayan mentioned in a press release.
“How can this be? Last time we checked, the Constitution does not allow legislation by Viber,” the lawmakers added.
Signed in Washington
Makabayan consists of House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro of ACT Teachers party-list, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
Zubiri signed the ultimate copy of the MIF invoice in Washington, the place he’s on an official go to to satisfy members of the United States Congress and authorities companies.
He mentioned Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. introduced a duplicate of the measure to Washington together with the Estate Tax Amnesty Extension invoice.
Asked how the Senate addressed the double provisions on the prescriptive interval within the MIF invoice, Zubiri mentioned: “I believe the corrections were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in our Viber group, including the correction sent by Senator Mark Villar.”
The Senate model of the invoice, which was finally adopted by the House of Representatives, included two sections on the prescriptive interval.
The draft invoice handed on the Senate ground supplies for a 10-year prescriptive interval for crimes punishable below the measure, whereas one other part in the identical invoice supplies for a 20-year prescriptive interval.
Sections 50, 51
Sought for remark by reporters, Bantug mentioned it was clear within the Senate proceedings that the senators voted for a ten-year prescriptive interval as regards crimes below the MIF.
“Sections 50 and 51 of Maharlika bill were merged. ‘Yung 51 was not actually deleted… Inangat lang siya doon sa para isang section lang sa prescription of crimes/offenses,” Bantug mentioned.
(Section 51 was not deleted. It was moved up in order that there would solely be one part on the prescription of crimes and offenses.)
“In combining it, yung section title of the surviving section, which is section 50, presciption of crimes/offenses… Clear talaga sa proceedings na 10 lang,” he added.
(It was clear within the proceedings that it was simply 10.)
The House handed the Maharlika invoice on third studying again in December 2022, however the Senate solely handed it on third studying final May 30, a day earlier than Congress adjourned its first common session.
The House in the end adopted the Senate model of the measure final May 31, the final day of the First Regular Session of the nineteenth Congress.
“The bill passed by both houses, with amendments by the Senate and accepted by the House, cannot be changed or modified by mere discussion in the Viber group of the Senate majority bloc,” Makabayan mentioned.
“This makes a mockery of the constitutional requirement of transparency when the legislature deliberates on and approves laws,” they added.
Transparency, accountability
Makabayan mentioned actions by the payments’ proponents went towards the rules of transparency and accountability.
“We call on Senate President Zubiri to immediately retract his approval of this ‘corrected’ bill and to ensure that proper procedures are followed in the legislative process,” Makabayan mentioned.
“We also call on our fellow lawmakers to remain vigilant and to defend our democratic institutions from any attempts to undermine them,” they added.
The lawmakers additionally adverted to “legal action if necessary to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that the interests of the Filipino people are protected.”
“We will not allow this kind of legislative shortcut to continue, especially when it involves public funds and the welfare of our fellow citizens,” the bloc mentioned. —NB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
