Leachon: Legal to resume session in House sans Cayetano consent

Resuming the House of Representatives' session even without the consent of Speaker Alan Cayetano is above board and possible, Oriental Mindoro Representative Doy Leachon said on Friday.

Cayetano had earlier moved to approve the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 and subsequently adjourned the session until November 16 — a departure from the October 14 timeline of budget approval on third and final reading that Cayetano’s leadership set.

Cayetano’s move extended his speakership tenure that was supposed to end on October 14 as he agreed on with President Rodrigo Duterte and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, the other party in the term-sharing deal. House rules provide that Congress must be in session to approve a pending measure and for anybody to move to declare a post — including the speakership — vacant.

Leachon noted that Cayetano cannot unilaterally have his way since a significant number of lawmakers believe that the resumption of the session is the only way to pass the budget legally and are on board with a resolution calling for the resumption of the session—a step contrary to the small committees formed after Cayetano moved for the swift approval of the proposed P4.5 trillion national budget on second reading and subsequent adjournment or closure of the session.

Leachon did not cite specific laws, but Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “a majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business” and that “neither House during sessions of the Congress shall, without consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days.”

“I sent my signature to PDP for the Resolution for assent (expressions approval) on the Resolution providing for the resumption of session, in line with the President’s call to finish the country’s budget that is legal and constitutional,” Leachon, a member of the ruling party PDP-Laban chaired by President Duterte, said.

“That’s legal thing to do. If the leadership doesn’t want [the session resumed], in continuous and utter defiance of the President, then as based on our constitution on which our institutions of democratic society are founded, on a country governed by the will of the majority and based on our tradition in Congress, we all have the right to assert our claim,” Leachon added.

Leachon cited that the abrupt adjournment of the session on October 6 is illegal because:

• the adjournment lacks the consent of the Senate
• the abrupt adjournment is not provided under House rules
• a bill approved on second reading cannot be amended
• the adjournment goes against the House calendar
• small committee discussions lack transparency and
• the unscheduled adjournment deprived House members of legislative functions for direct participation.

“The details of the Resolution are being refined to synchronize the intent of all parties participating. I heard some members of NUP, minority block, Party-list representatives, PDP are all amenable to it. All members of NPC I was informed signed it,” Leachon, a member of PDP, said.

“The national budget is sidelined and held hostage out of political motivation, in violation of the Rules,” Leachon added. — DVM, GMA News