Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 22) — Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel on Thursday said any changes made in the now enrolled Maharlika Investment Bill after it was approved by Congress is considered “illegal.”
This was after Senate President Miguel Zubiri said there were corrections made on the bill that were thoroughly discussed by the majority bloc in their Viber group before his signature on Wednesday.
Zubiri said it includes a letter of correction sent by Sen. Mark Villar, the principal author and sponsor of the bill in the Senate.
READ: Zubiri signs Maharlika Investment Fund bill
With the recent developments, Pimentel said the integrity and constitutionality of the bill are now in question. He said the bill that will be transmitted to Malacañang \”has been tampered without proper plenary authority.\”
\”The enrolled bill being sent to the president is not the version properly and formally approved by Congress. Mayroong provision diyan na ginalaw [There are provisions changed] without plenary authority,\” the opposition lawmaker stressed.
The Makabayan bloc also criticized the \”unconstitutional\” legislation made by some lawmakers via Viber group. The group said it is a blatant disregard for the democratic process.
“This makes a mockery of the constitutional requirement of transparency when the legislature deliberates on and approves laws,” the group stated.
Citing various groups’ recent criticisms of the bill, the Makabayan bloc said proponents are now resorting to underhanded tactics to push their agenda forward.
The group called on Zubiri to retract his approval, while Pimentel reiterated his appeal for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the “ill-conceived” bill.
READ: The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know
\”It is not timely as the world economy and geopolitical situations are bad. This kind of a law needs more time to be discussed by the Filipino People themselves, in fairness to them,\” Pimentel said.
‘Part of the process’
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, on the other hand, said changes made in their Viber group were just part of the whole legislative process of the bill.
\”It might have been part of a whole process but not the only process,\” she said. \”Those were not the only conversations. Of course, there must have been face-to-face meetings. I’m sure they went to the Senate, they talked to the secretariat.\”
Legarda said no rules were violated.
Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos said she remained distant from the Maharlika bill discussions due to her doubts about the controversial fund.
RELATED: Marcos to immediately sign proposed Maharlika bill
\”Alam naman ninyo na hindi ako nakilahok sa Maharlika bill dahil tulad ng maraming Pilipino, marami akong pangamba tungkol dyan… Sa tingin ko, masyadong hinog sa pilit at marami akong hindi naintindihan at maraming duda at pangamba,\” she added.
[Translation: You know that I did not participate in the Maharlika bill because like many Filipinos, I have many apprehensions about it… I think it’s half-baked and I don’t understand a lot and have a lot of doubts and fears.]
Although acknowledging its vagueness, the senator urged the public to support the bill that will eventually become a law.
\”Magiging batas na nga siya kaya suportahan na lang natin ang administrasyon na punuin iyong mga pagkukulang niya, tuwirin iyong medyo malalabong parte at sana magamit sa tamang mga pamamaraan at tamang mithiin,\” Marcos added.
