ABOUT 284 lawmakers showed their full backing to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez through the adoption of House Resolution 1562.

The resolution seeks to defend Romualdez from the baseless accusations of Senators and calling for adherence to inter-parliamentary courtesy between the two chambers of Congress.

Among the authors of the resolution are Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Rizal Rep. Jack Duavit, Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, BHW Partylist Rep. Angelica Natasha Co, and others.

They denounced the “confrontational tactics used by the Senate, which are detrimental to the spirit of cooperative governance and the public’s confidence in parliamentary processes.”

“In the midst of Senate’s accusations and confrontational stance, we affirm our unwavering solidarity and support to the leadership of the honorable Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and uphold the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives,” Gonzales said in sponsoring House Resolution (HR) No. 1562.

The House members’ collective sentiments are contained in HR No. 1562, which the chamber unanimously adopted.

“Our co-equal legislative bodies. the unfounded allegations hurdled by some members of the senate on the issues surrounding the people’s initiative are direct violation of interparliamentary courtesy and undermine the independence and integrity of the House of Representatives. My honorable colleagues, we must, as one body, rise in defense of the leadership and dignity of our institution against these ridiculous allegations, unsubstantiated as they are, which foster a climate of mistrust that is detrimental to our nation’s progress. it is imperative that we denounce these underhanded tactics that erode public trust in our parliamentary processes,” Gonzales stressed.

“We have no involvement in the signature drive to amend the Constitution and it was, in fact, initiated by a private organization. We, however, respect the people’s initiative as it clearly manifests the essence of our country’s democratic process. My dear colleagues, in the face of these unfounded indictments, the Speaker has bravely defended the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives. Yet, he continues to call upon our honorable members to be discerning while observing mutual difference to a co-equal legislative body,” he said.

The resolution stated that the Senate “conducted an investigation without a clear legislative purpose, specifically directed at discrediting” Speaker Romualdez and the House.

“While taking criticisms is part and parcel of a healthy and working democracy, the House takes exception to the recent statements and allegations made by the Senate that undermine the independence, reputation and integrity of the House of Representatives and the leadership of the Speaker,” it said.

The House expressed its “strong objection to the accusations, viewing them as a breach of inter-parliamentary courtesy and a challenge to the integrity of the parliamentary institution.”

It said in the face of these “unfounded indictments, the Speaker has taken the cudgel in shepherding the members in steadfastly defending the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives by strictly discerning and observing mutual deference to a co-equal legislative body.”

“With its slogan ‘One House, One Voice’, the House of Representatives stands united in rejecting the unfounded accusations, commits itself to defend the dignity and integrity of the institution, and gives its full and unwavering support to the Speaker,” the resolution stated.

Lawmakers said the Constitution, amendments to or revision of the Charter may be proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or directly by the people through initiative upon petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three percent of the registered voters in such district.

The House pointed out that in support of the goal of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make the Philippines investor-friendly and globally competitive, the House passed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 calling for a constitutional convention “for the purpose of amending the economic provisions in the Constitution.”

The House adopted the resolution on March 6, 2023 and transmitted it to the Senate the next day on March 7.