Senate hearings on Cha-cha to start Feb. 17

MANILA, Philippines - Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno has confirmed that he would be a resource person when the Senate starts public hearings on the proposals to amend the Constitution on Feb. 17.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chair of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revisions of codes and laws, said the initial hearing would only discuss the issue of whether there is a need for Charter change.

“The hearing will consist of a series of lectures by eminent experts in constitutional law, such as yourself,” Santiago said in her letter to Puno.

She emphasized that there will be no interpellation allowed as is the normal practice during congressional hearings.

Aside from Puno, Santiago said that former Supreme Court associate justices Florentino Feliciano, Vicente Mendoza and Adolfo Azcuna have confirmed their attendance as resource persons.

Former University of the Philippines president Dr. Jose Abueva and former UP College of Law dean Merlin Magallona would also attend the hearing.

Santiago called for the hearings on Charter change amidst recent proposals from the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution.

Malacañang has stated that Charter change would not be among its priorities but Santiago said that nothing can prevent Congress from tackling the issue.

“It is the prerogative of Congress to initiate Charter change hearings. It might not be a priority for the executive branch, but it will be among the priorities of the legislative branch,” Santiago said.

Proponents of Charter change cited the recent pronouncement of President Aquino that he would no longer seek any elective post after he steps down as a positive step towards the effort to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Previous attempts to amend the Constitution, particularly during the previous administration, were widely opposed because of suspicions that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wanted to extend her term or stay in power after 2010.

Santiago said that President Aquino’s statement “immediately clears the air of any political agenda which could pollute the Charter change initiative.”