We know Philippine politics can get ugly — but we’re still shocked by this.
On Wed, Oct 12, the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments started deliberations on the 25 bills and resolutions seeking amendments to the country’s 1987 Constitution. This is in line with the administration’s push for charter change.
President Rodrigo Duterte has said that he would work to change the country’s system of government to federalism.
“However, the discussion in Congress started to heat up when Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia moved to get the committee to pick constituent assembly as the preferred mode to amend the constitution. Others, like Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, however, insisted this is not binding on the plenary,” reports RG Cruz on ABS-CBN News Online.
For his part, Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay suggested “inviting the Senate to join the House of Representatives in discussing the matter.”
However, Pichay’s motion was allegedly “indirectly referred to as ‘stupid’ and ‘senseless'” by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers.
Barbers was quoted as saying, “Mr. Chairman, let us not entertain senseless motions. Those are stupid motion, pardon my French.”
The report noted: “The session was suspended to defuse the tension, but during the break, Barbers approached Pichay. The two started arguing, cussing at each other, and almost coming to blows.”
Thankfully, Pichay and Barbers’ colleagues intervened.
Ultimately, the session had to be adjourned for lack of time because the congressmen had to attend the 4pm plenary session that day.
