Marcos prefers Senate to lead cha-cha moves

The President stressed that there is no more need for him to intervene as he has been in discussions with both the House and the Senate regarding cha-cha

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he wanted a “quiet and efficient” process in amending the 1987 Constitution, as he confirmed his support for a Senate-led process in effecting the changes.

In an interview with reporters at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila on Tuesday, Marcos said amending the Constitution should be done without any fuss.

He also confirmed that consultations on the method for amending the 1987 Constitution had been completed “months ago,” with the Senate taking the lead.

“What’s happening now is what we decided,” Marcos said, referring to the Senate’s initiative and the expected agreement between both chambers.

“There’s no need for a storm in a teacup. The leaders of both houses have (made the decision),” he said.

The President stressed that there was no more need for him to intervene or make pronouncements again regarding the discussions, as he had been in discussions with both the House and the Senate for a long time.

“(F)or me, getting it done is more important than making proclamations,” he said.

Despite his statement, some uncertainty remains regarding the specific method of amendment.

The President did not explicitly endorse any particular option, whether a constitutional convention (con-con) or a constituent assembly (con-ass). However, he reiterated his support for the Senate to take the lead and to collaborate with the House of Representatives.

He stressed once more the need for amendments to attract more investments and to upskill the Filipino workforce.

“We want to get those amendments incorporated into the Constitution to improve the chances of investments and the upskilling of our people,” Marcos said, highlighting his administration’s economic priorities.

Earlier this year, the President said that the least problematic way to amend the Constitution was to look into its economic provisions and make the political adjustments later.

The Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and Code Revision, led by Senator Sonny Angara, has begun deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which seeks to alter the Charter’s economic provisions.

Angara, Senate President Juan Miguel zubiri, and Senate President Pro Tempore loren legarda filed RBH 6 after the Senate and House leadership reached an agreement before the President that the Upper House would take the lead in amending the Constitution as long as the people’s initiative, supported by members of Congress like Speaker Martin Romualdez, was halted.

The House has passed its version of the measure, RBH 7, closely tracking the thrust of the Senate’s RBH 6.

PHOTOGRAPH BY LARRY CRUZ FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE Under the microscope The Senate Committee on Amendments and Revision of Codes (Subcommittee on Senate Resolution of Both Houses No. 6), headed by Senator Sonny Angara, commences a public hearing on Proposing Amendments to Certain Economic Provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, particularly on Articles XII, XIV, and XVI (By Senators Zubiri, Legarda and Angara) on Tuesday. The Committee will focus its discussion on Article XIV, Sec. 4 (2) (Educational Institutions).