Charter change move only two Senate votes shy

Just two more senatorial votes are needed before Congress can be convened into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution, a congressman said yesterday.

The solon, who asked not to be identified, said members of the House have managed to convince 10 senators to agree to a constituent assembly as a mode of Charter change.

The 10 senators were identified as Edgardo Angara, Robert Barbers, Manuel Villar, Aquilino Pimentel, Vicente Sotto, Robert Jaworski, Ramon Revilla, Rodolfo Biazon, Tessie Aquino Oreta and John Osmeña.

Angara and Barbers earlier filed a concurrent resolution to convene both chambers into a constituent assembly.

The support of only two more senators is needed for the Senate to pass the concurrent resolution.

Four other senators — Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, Ramon Magsaysay and Ralph Recto — are reportedly close to supporting the resolution.

"In other words, we have a multiparty support for the move (to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly)," the solon said.

If 12 senators agree to a constituent assembly, Angara, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, will report out the resolution to the floor where it is expected to be approved after a plenary debate.

The Lower House approved, with a clear majority, last March a similar resolution, which proposed a shift to a unicameral parliamentary government with an eventual transition to a federal system. It will amend economic provisions, the form of government, and transitory provisions.

The solon said work on the rules of the constituent assembly can be done from May to June, before Congress adjourns.

When the next Congress opens in July, the solon said it can then convene into a constituent assembly since both chambers would be in session.

The assembly can work on the amendments from August to September, and their amendments can then be presented to the people during the campaign period from October to December. A plebiscite on the amendments can be held in January next year.

Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri said a unicameral parliamentary government would enable basic services to reach the people faster. He cited the bills on 180 national high schools already approved by the Lower House but still pending in the Senate.

"The money and facilities are there, but we can’t move because the Senate has yet to approve them. We are in effect depriving students," he said.