Padilla says 'no feud' between Senate, House members over postponed Cha-cha hearing

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 22) — Senator Robin Padilla has refuted claims that there is a rift brewing between the two chambers of Congress after the Senate's scheduled hearing on Charter change was scrapped on Monday.

"Itong nangyayari ngayon na sabi nila mayroong hidwaan, pero wala pong hidwaan dito," Padilla said on Wednesday. "Ito po ay natural na pag-uusap ng mga mambabatas. Ito ay normal na magkaroon ng iba't ibang opinyon, mungkahi dito."

[Translation: What's happening now, which they say is a conflict, but there is no conflict here. This is a natural discussion of legislators. It is normal to have different opinions, suggestions here.]

Padilla clarified that the hearing was not canceled, but was just postponed to a later date as shown by a document presented during the Senate meeting with Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.

He also said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri never blocked any hearing of the upper chamber.

On Monday, Padilla said Zubiri directed a closed-door meeting with congressmen instead of the hearing, in line with "interparliamentary courtesy."

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez expressed his dismay over "a notice of cancellation from the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes."

READ: Lawmaker on canceled charter resolution hearing: 'I am disappointed'