High Court junks Makabayan petition vs. Maharlika bill, says it’s premature

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has junked the petition filed by the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives seeking to declare the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill unconstitutional after "failing to establish the existence of an actual case or controversy."

“(Petitioner Neri) Colmenares et al.’s mere allegation of unconstitutionality of the President’s certification of HB (House Bill) 6608 and the passage of the bill by the House are not sufficient to warrant re- view by the Court,” the SC said in a resolution released Friday. posts one year after the general elections lapsed on May 9.

The high court stressed that the petitioners did not establish sufficient or concrete facts to enable the Court to adjudicate the issues presented.

“In fact, and by their own admission, the Senate has yet to act on the counterpart bill of HB 6608. To date, no law has been passed and HB 6608 remains pending with the House for further revisions, eliminating petitioners and legislators’ concerns regarding the expedited passage of HB 6608 in the House,” the SC said.

Cagayan De Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez had appealed to Mr. Marcos not to "recycle" candidates who lost in last year's polls by giving them Cabinet posts.

But Bersamin said: “Appeals like that should not be made. They mean very well, but you know, there are good peo- ple, and if the President wants to replace some people in the Cabinet right now, he is within his full political power to exercise that choice.”

The Executive Secretary added that the President's discretion on filling vacant government positions extends to individuals who are planning to run in the 2025 midterm elections.