Vetoed bills: ‘Better coordination’ needed

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Speaker Belmonte says there is a need for 'better coordination' between the legislative and executive branches

Historic vote. The House of Representatives approves the RH Bill on 2nd reading. Photo by Egay G. Aguilar

MANILA, Philippines – Blame it on poor communication. 

Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr said Thursday, May 30, there is a need for “better coordination” between the legislative and executive branches after a series of presidential vetoes on key bills. 

“Cabinet secretaries should make their positions clear during the hearings at the House or Senate, and not at the President’s level, or after the bills are passed by Congress,” Belmonte told reporters. 

In a span of one week, President Benigno Aquino III has vetoed two proposed laws — the centenarians bill and the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Act

At least 3 other bills passed in the 15th Congress were previously junked by the President—the Magna Carta for the Poor, a bill providing a fixed term of army chiefs and a bill that junks the height requirement for cops

Some lawmakers pinned the blame on the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO), which is tasked to coordinate closely with Malacañang and Congress on the progress of bills. 

“It is due to the failure of the PLLO. They failed to brief Malacañang concerning such measures, as well as the rationale behind them,” said Zambales Rep Mitos Magsaysay. 

Senators agreed. In an Inquirer article, Sen Sergio Osmeña III, an Aquino ally, said the PLLO needs to be more “hands on.”

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte defended the PLLO in an earlier interview, saying it “can only do so much.” 

“It depends on the wisdom of the legislators on what they want to include in that particular bill before it gets transmitted to us,” Valte said in a mix of English and Filipino. “Of course, that is a separate co-equal branch of government. They are entitled to put whatever they believe should be included in the laws they will transmit to us.” 

The President can only veto a bill within 30 days of receiving the measure, otherwise it would automatically lapse into law.

Congress has the power to override a presidential veto if at least 2/3 of the members of each chamber of Congress vote to pass the bill despite the veto.  

The Senate and the House have one remaining session left. Senators and  representatives will convene in their respective chambers on June 5 for the sine die adjournment of the 15th Congress. – with reports from Angela Casauay/Rappler.com


 

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