Alvarez broaches postponing polls

HOUSE SPEAKER Pantaleon D. Alvarez sees postponing next year’s midterm election as a more practical option for Congress to be able to tackle the draft federal charter submitted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) last Monday, and other matters.

Mr. Alvarez, in a press briefing Wednesday, also confirmed the draft charter now counts among the priority agenda of the House of Representatives.

Leaders representing both chambers of Congress had earlier said charter change would not be a priority. But on Tuesday night, President R. Duterte’s Cabinet tackled the draft charter, with Mr. Duterte urging the ConCom to introduce a transitory provision barring him from seeking a new mandate under a federal charter.

The House Speaker, when asked if the transition toward federalism will be easier without next year’s polls, said, “Practically, yes.”

He added: “Kung ako tatanungin mo, pag-aralan mo ‘yung kalendaryo. (At the) SONA (State of the Nation Address) ibibigay sa amin ‘yung NEP (National Expenditure Program) at maybe ‘yung draft na natapos ng ConCom. So kailangan mag- double time kami dito para ayusin ang draft na ‘yun. At the same time, maghi- hearing kami sa budget.” (If you ask me, look at the calendar. At the SONA, we will receive the NEP and maybe the draft approved by the ConCom. So we need to work double time to tackle the draft. At the same time, we will hold hearings on the budget.) “Papaano tayo magka- quorum dito? Ano mangyayari? Siyempre magkakampanya na yung mga congressmen,” Mr. Alvarez also said. (How will we reach a quorum? What’s going to happen? Of course, it will be time for the congressmen to campaign.)

Sought for comment, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said in a text message to reporters: “It’s difficult ( to postpone the elections) because we have to amend the Constitution to do that, ( in particular) Article VI section 8 of the 1987 Constitution.” —