More debates on constituent assembly urged

MANILA, Philippines – Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas urged the House committee on constitutional amendments yesterday to hold more hearings on Resolution 1109, which seeks to convene “members of Congress” into a constituent assembly (con-ass) to propose Charter change (Cha-cha).

Mandanas told reporters that he is formally asking his colleagues in the committee to reconsider its vote on Tuesday to endorse the con-ass resolution for plenary discussions.

“We have to have exhaustive debates on this,” Mandanas said.

Mandanas claimed he voted with the majority on Tuesday so that he could file a motion for reconsideration.

Mandanas explained that under the rules, only one who cast an affirmative vote could submit such a motion.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte authored Resolution 1109, which was signed by more than 150 members led by Speaker Prospero Nograles and Majority Leader Arthur Defensor.

But on May 18, Villafuerte withdrew his authorship and support for his own resolution.

The Bicol lawmaker said he would oppose any and all Cha-cha proposals in the 14th Congress.

Another committee member who voted for the con-ass measure was Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

Lagman said he did so to allow the entire House to decide on the fate of Villafuerte’s resolution.

Lagman vowed to oppose the resolution when it is taken up in plenary.

Other congressmen welcomed the decision of the constitutional amendments committee to refer the con-ass measure to the plenary.

Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong said plenary discussions would enlighten the public on the issues tied to the con-ass proposal.

“The extension of the terms of President Arroyo and incumbent officials is never among the goals of Resolution 1109. It is better for people to know what really are the issues,” he said.

Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus said there would be transparent discussions on the resolution.

“We welcome the decision of the committee. This means that the proposal remains alive and House members will render their final decision on it very soon,” he said. 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), for its part, said the bishops would issue a statement in a last-ditch effort to reiterate their position against Cha-cha.

“We, the bishops, would try to come up with a statement as soon as possible to oppose Cha-cha,” CBCP-Public Affairs Commission (PAC) chairman Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said.

Iniguez said some of the bishops are already holding their meetings ahead of the CBCP permanent council to discuss the impact of the Senate-less House resolution on Cha-cha.

Iniguez voiced his concern over the insistence of congressmen to go ahead on Charter change initiatives, ignoring the increasing public opinion against it. – With Evelyn Macairan