Constitutional law expert supports PBBM’s Con-Con push

Constitutional law expert and former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) President Atty. Domingo Egon Cayosa is inclined to support a constitutional convention to change some provisions of the 1986 Constitution.

According to Cayosa in a radio interview Wednesday, it is normal to improve the Constitution of the land.

“Its normal to improve the Constitution. The best thing is Constitutional Convention the participation of the people,” said Cayosa.

Cayosa said their fear regarding the Con-Con is that it would allow anybody to run as a member, which could result in dynasties.

“What we fear here (constitutional convention) is that anybody would be allowed to run then we will be back to dynasty and artists,” said Cayosa.

He clarified that those who should be members of the convention must have the necessary know-how, government experience, industry knowledge, and understand the very concept of the Constitution, adding that the members should meet minimum requirements.

Cayosa added that changing the Constitution can be done easily if those making the change have no vested interest, since it is crucial.

Earlier, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his support for the establishment of a constitutional convention (ConCon) if it seeks to correct ambiguities in the 1987 Constitution.

The President said it is to enhance and clarify so that no provision in the Constitution is violated.

This was after Deputy Speaker and National Unity Party chairperson Ronaldo Puno on Monday called for a ConCon to undertake a sweeping review of the Constitution to fix vague provisions and introduce much-needed reforms in the charter.

Puno said the proposal is not meant to discard the Constitution but to “complete and correct it,” stressing that ConCon ensures “singularity of purpose.”

Palace Spokesperson Claijre Castro clarified that, for now, the President and Malacañang have no firm stance on the proposal until full details on it have been released.

She nevertheless acknowledged that some provisions in the 1987 charter are ambiguous, resulting in some instances wherein a person is favored.

“In such cases, we will also know what the framers of the Constitution stated in the) 1987 Constitution,” she said.

ConCon is one of three methods to amend the Constitution, a scheme allowing delegates from each district—elected by the people—to review and propose constitutional changes.

The two other methods to introduce revisions to the 1987 charter are a constituent assembly and a people’s initiative.