Senators open to con-ass

MANILA, Philippines — Some senators from the majority and minority blocs are open to the proposal for Congress to convene as a constituent assembly (con-ass) to amend the Constitution but vowed to oppose any move to abolish the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito in separate interviews said they were amenable to Charter change with the Senate and the House of Representatives doing the job – although the process must not be rushed.

Drilon said he initially filed a resolution calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) but he would agree to a con-ass if that would be the collective decision of both chambers of Congress.

“At the end of the day, it is the review of the Constitution that is more important. How we can achieve that in the best possible way is something that we can debate upon. One thing, we are of the view that we have to vote separately – the Senate and the House. I cannot imagine a situation where the Senate would be an irrelevant institution,” Drilon told CNN.

Under a con-ass, the Senate and the House would convene as one body to write amendments to the Constitution. A con-con is composed of elected delegates that propose the amendments. The output of either mode will have to be approved by the people in a plebiscite.

Separate voting in the envisioned con-ass is going to be strongly defended by the senators, who see themselves being overwhelmed in the event of joint balloting, with the House having nearly 300 members.

Drilon said amending the Charter is principally a function of Congress and theoretically, Malacañang does not participate in the amendment of the Constitution.

“But realistically as a political leader, the views of the President would influence the views of the legislators, especially the supermajority in Congress,” he said.

He reiterated his warning of apparent attempts by House leaders to condition the mind of the people to agree to abolish the Senate in the event the Constitution is amended and the country shifts to a federal system by their disparaging remarks against senators.

He also stressed that President Duterte was also against extension of his term and those of other sitting officials during the transition period if and when the Constitution is amended as espoused by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Ejercito said he was amenable to a con-ass as lawmakers are, after all, duly-elected representatives of the people, adding the Constitution allows for such a mode.

“Electing a constitutional convention is ideal but maybe impractical at this point. Con-ass will save us money, time and resources without sacrificing the mandate of the people,” Ejercito said.

He, however, said Congress should not rush Charter change and set unrealistic timelines, even as the House leadership is pushing for the drafting of the new constitution in the next three months, and the plebiscite to coincide with the scheduled barangay elections in May.

Cha-cha hearing set

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, has set the hearing on Charter change proposals on Jan. 17.

He said the committee will tackle three measures: the Resolution of Both Houses No. 1 by Drilon, Joint Resolution No. 1 by Sen. Richard Gordon and Senate Bill 128 by Sen. Miguel Zubiri.

Constitution experts, members of academe, business sector, labor, civil society and other concerned stakeholders will be invited to help provide inputs in going about the needed constitutional reforms “through a transparent process that guarantees utmost participation by the nation at large,” Pangilinan said, quoting Zubiri’s bill.

“The way to initiate changes or reforms in the Constitution is through a deliberative, thorough and transparent process. Everyone will have a say here and no one will be left in the dark,” he said.

He said the committee will seek answers on fundamental questions, including:

• Is there a need to amend or revise the Constitution?

• If so, what parts of the Constitution should be amended or revised?

• Should the amendments or revisions be proposed by a con-con or by the Congress itself acting as a con-ass?

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a critic of Duterte, vowed to oppose any move to amend the Constitution, saying “there is nothing wrong with the system, only those who run the system.”

“There is only one objective in this (Charter change) for them, particularly Mr. Duterte, to remain in power beyond their terms… as President, he won’t step down because he knows if he does, he’ll be put to jail,” Trillanes said.

Speaker Alvarez claimed on Tuesday that now is the best time to amend the Constitution and shift the country’s highly centralized presidential form of government to a federal system since President Duterte carries no hidden agenda in implementing radical reforms in the bureaucracy.

“This year, we will revise our Constitution for a shift to a federal form of government. Let us unite and support this,” he said during the celebration of his 60th birthday at the New Tagum City Hall in Davao del Norte.

He said this is the best opportunity to likewise shift the perennially gridlock-ridden bicameral Congress into a unicameral parliament.

Alvarez called for the convening of Congress into a con-ass to revise the 1987 Constitution, which has been a top priority of the House leadership.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said critics of Duterte and the public should be grateful to the President for being brutally honest and for not engaging in double talk. – With Delon Porcalla, Artemio Dumlao