Senate to study con-com proposals

Amid an avalanche of criticism received by the presidential consultative commission (con-com) over its recommendation to scrap the 2007 elections, the Senate said it would withhold judgment until it has studied the entire report.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws, said the Senate would conduct hearings on the con-com proposals if they reach the Senate.

Gordon stressed it is their duty to look into the con-com report.

"My committee will not shirk its duty. If the report of the consultative constitutional commission is referred to the Senate and subsequently to my committee, we will act on it," Gordon said.

"It will be subjected to debate in the committee level and in the plenary. We will produce a committee report," he said.

The con-com has recommended the scrapping of the 2007 midterm elections to extend the terms of lawmakers for a transition period until members of the new parliament are selected.

Gordon, however, emphasized the Senate committee is not bound to adopt the con-com recommendations.

"The recommendations of the consultative commission are simply that — recommendations," Gordon pointed out. "It will not limit the discussions in Congress and neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives is bound to accept it."

Gordon explained that any amendments introduced for the Constitution must be approved by a three-fourths vote of Congress, or by a constitutional convention or people’s initiative.

"That is the process the people voted for when they ratified the Constitution and that is the process we are legally bound to follow," he said.

But Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. continued to slam the con-com for its recommendations and warned that its members may be prosecuted for "acting in excess of their mandate and for going against the interest of the people."

Pimentel said the con-com can be prosecuted for "prostituting public service."

"I will block their proposal with all the might of a senator," he said.

Pimentel pointed out the con-com, in effect, told the lawmakers to ignore a fundamental republican rule enshrined in the 1987 Constitution — that senators and congressmen are prohibited from rewarding themselves with any government position created by virtue of their official act.

Pimentel maintained the con-com was actually working for President Arroyo and their true intentions were proven by their recommendations.

He alleged the motive of Charter change was only to save Mrs. Arroyo from being removed from office because of accusations of electoral fraud and corruption.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson added Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and former President Fidel Ramos were duped by Mrs. Arroyo into believing that she would comply with their agreement on Charter change and step down by 2007.

Lacson was referring to reports that De Venecia and Ramos lent their support to Mrs. Arroyo at the height of the resignation calls against her last July 8.

De Venecia and Ramos reportedly agreed to support Mrs. Arroyo in exchange for swift Charter change, including cutting her term short to provide a graceful exit. Mrs. Arroyo never agreed to any scenario in which she would step down, however.

"Obviously too smart for politicians, FVR and JDV have been had by GMA. They should have known that GMA never had any intention of fulfilling her part of the bargain that they struck last July 8, when they came to her rescue," Lacson said.

"I urge FVR and JDV to join me in preventing GMA from pursuing her plan to perpetuate herself in power while it is not too late," he added.

Crucial factor

Local government chiefs, on the other hand, said the power to decide whether to adopt or throw out the recommendations of the con-com rested with the people.

League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) spokesman Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone said the controversy stirred by the con-com in proposing a no-election scenario in 2007 "needs sober and objective discussion and consideration."

Evardone said LLP had already expressed its support for the con-com recommendation to adopt a unicameral parliamentary government to "end the vicious gridlock between the executive and the legislative departments."

He said the LLP also supports con-com proposals to rewrite the "protectionist" provisions of the Charter to spur foreign investment.

Evardone claimed there was growing support to scrap the 2007 midterm elections for a smoother transition to the new parliament.

Aside from the fiscal savings, the government could reroute the funds to finance more infrastructure projects, he said.

The LPP also supported the position of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) to extend the term limits of elected officials from three to five years.

Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema, Region 12 representative of the League of Cities of the Philippines, said it is too early to make any negative comment on the proposal, which lawmakers have yet to take up in Congress.

"What is really necessary is for our political leaders to discus this proposal which is just one of the many recommendations made by the commission. The people in a plebiscite will later on decide the fate of Charter change," Sema said. — Marvin Sy, Cecille Suerte Felipe