House presses Senate on con-ass

How can the House invite the Senate to cha-cha when it cannot even decide on its minority leadership as discussed by Reps. Rodolfo Fariñas (left) and Miro Quimbo at a media forum yesterday. ALFONSO PADILLA

The House of Representatives has renewed its call to the Senate for them to form a constituent assembly (con-ass) to discuss amendments to the 1987 Constitution, Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez said yesterday.

Benitez said on TV that a formal communication has already been sent by the House to the Senate, particularly to Sen. Miguel Zubiri regarding the formation of a con-ass.

“If the Senate refuses anew, then we will respect its position if wants to vote separately,” said Benitez, referring to a threat by Senate President Tito Sotto on 23 August to lead senators into walking out of any con-ass meeting.

On the said date, President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address during which a plan was allegedly hatched to use the occasion to convene a con-ass to start amending the Constitution.

“If that would be the condition (voting separately), then we will accept it, as long as we can meet as a constituent assembly,” Benitez added.

“They previously said they will discuss it on a majority caucus and that they will get back to us after,” Benitez said. “But up to now, we are still waiting for the Senate’s decision.”

A 22-member Consultative Committee (ConCom) has already submitted the final draft of the so-called Federal Constitution for consideration by the actual body that will amend the present Charter.

Aside from the houses of Congress convening as con-ass, another mode of overhauling the Constitution is through the election of delegate to a Constitutional Convention (ConCon).

Whether drafted by a con-ass or a ConCon, any proposed Constitution will have to be approved by Filipinos of voting age through a plebiscite.

Should con-ass push through, the recommendations made by the ConCom on the draft for a Federal charter will be discussed.

The 2019 mid-term elections, as per new House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pronouncements, will also push through as planned.

Critics, including academics and heads of universities, have expressed opposition to amending the 1987 Constitution through con-ass.

Doing so, according to them, would exclude Filipinos “from all walks of life” from deliberating to support or reject government reforms.

Progressive solons have claimed Filipinos find con-ass as an unacceptable way to effect Charter change (cha-cha).

A third manner of effecting minor changes to the Constitution is through “People’s Initiative” which involves at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters.