Alvarez bats for no-el in 2019 to study transition to Federal

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is backing a “no election (noel)” scenario in 2019 if only to guarantee the approval of a well-studied federal constitution and a smooth transition towards federalism.

In a media interview after receiving a copy of the proposed Charter drafted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom), Alvarez appeared cold to President Duterte’s insistence on leaving the presidency as soon as the Constitution is revised to give way to a federal form of government.

“I remember the President has a contract with the Filipino people for six years. Hindi ko pa alam iyong constitutionality kung puputulin mo iyong six years (I am not sure about the constitutionality of shortening it to six years),” he said.

For his part Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas said: “We will respect his position and I hope he will respect ours also when the time comes.”

Alvarez and Farinas received from Con-com chairman retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno and other members of the body a copy of the 91-page draft charter entitled “Bayanihan Federalism: Power to the People, Power to the Regions.”

Asked about his view on the postponement of next year’s mid-term elections, Alvarez said it would be ideal in order to guarantee a well-studied Charter.

"Practically, yes [it) would be easier to transition committee if there will be no 2019 elections," said Alvarez.

Hectic schedule He also pointed out that lawmakers require enough time to tackle the proposed Charter revision.

Alvarez noted that while the Lower House will be having its hands full with the budget deliberations and other priority legislation, its members have to prepare for their respective election bids at the last leg of the 17th Congress.

Given this hectic schedule might be adverse to the bid to approve a new Charter.

“How are we gonna arrive at a quorum here? Of course, the congressmen have to start campaigning. That’s elections. It’s survival," Alvarez said.

Farinas also cited time constraints in the push for a new charter.

“We’ll have to work on it and then we’ll give you our timetable because, as of now, we haven’t read it yet. We have no idea what it looks like and how hard it will be,” he said.

The Ilocano solon said the draft Constitution will be considered by the Lower House as a proposal in the same manner that the other recommendations are being deliberated upon.

He explained that the Con-com is a creation of Duterte, thus, its output will have to be given to him.

“Coming from the President, it carries weight. But Congress is not bound by that,” Farinas said.

New law needed

But Senate President Vicente Sotto III is cold to the deferment of the 2019 midterm polls.

He said Alvarez' idea would only be possible if existing laws, particularly the present Charter, is revised to defer the mandated date of elections, and most especially, if majority of the lawmakers would agree to it.

"It's difficult because we have to amend the Constitution to do that," Sotto said in a text message to reporters.

Article 6, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution provides that "the regular election of the Senators and the Members of the House of Representatives shall be held on the second Monday of May."

Puno said the plebiscite for the draft federal charter should be held mid-2019 so that the transition to a federal government can start within the Duterte administration.

Sotto, however admitted the Senate cannot easily prioritize the draft federal constitution even if Duterte transmits it to Congress when they resume on July 23.

The Senate chief said they would not start discussing matters on the proposed Charter change (Cha-Cha) unless the two houses of Congress settle their dispute on how to vote on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution. (With a report from Vanne P. Terrazola)