Davide: DILG opinion shouldn’t hold president’s signature hostage

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said an opinion of the Department of Interior and Local Government should not be a prerequisite for the President to sign a bill into law.

Davide made the comment after receiving information that  President Benigno Aquino III has not signed the bill, which creates a seventh legislative district in the province, just yet because the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs is waiting for DILG to render its opinion on the matter.

The agency was expected to render its opinion yesterday.

“Nevertheless, I was assured nga ang opinion sa DILG will be submitted within the day, mao na lang daw kuwang,” he told reporters during his regular press conference yesterday.

Davide opened the DILG opinion should have been made as a requirement during the deliberation of the bill and before Congress enacts it into law, not in the process when the bill is already in its enrolled form and is to be subjected for the President’s action.

The legislative process says that when a bill passed by Congress is submitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature, it automatically becomes a law if the President does not sign it within 30 days from receipt by his office. He could also veto it but a bill may still become a law if Congress overrides a presidential veto by two-thirds vote in each Chamber.

Under the enrolled bill principle, the bill in its enrolled form is deemed binding on the courts and its authentication by the Speaker and Senate President are conclusive proof of its due enactment.

The Lower House and the Senate passed the bill creating the seventh district of the Cebu on May 26 and July 28 this year, respectively. The bill was transmitted to the Office of the President last August 28.

Despite this, Davide said he is optimistic that the President would sign the bill within the week. —/JMO (FREEMAN)