Abella: Duterte prefers con-ass to amend Charter

SK polls on Oct. 31 and PNP pay hike prompted the change of heart

The final draft will be ratified by the public through a plebiscite probably during the 2019 midterm polls If the public later agreed during the referendum and accepted the new Constitution, there will be a transition government for three years and an election will be held by 2022 under the new Charter

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is now in favor of allowing members of Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution as the administration starts the process to shift to a federal-parliamentary form of government, a Palace official said yesterday.

According to presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, the possibility of a shift from constitutional convention (con-con) to constituent assembly (con-ass) was discussed during the first National Security Council meeting on Wednesday.

Abella said the President is now eyeing con-ass, following the impending Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on Oct. 31 and the promised pay hike among the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“It was discussed as a possibility considering the prohibitive cost, should they begin the process soon, seeing that SK elections, proposed salary increases for the PNP are all looming,” Abella said.

Once pursued, Congress will convene a constitutional assembly to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Under Article 17 of the Constitution, amendments pass upon a vote of threefourths of all members of Congress.

However, it is not clear if Congress should vote as a single body or as sepa- rate houses.

During a forum by the Management Association of the Philippine (MAP) in Makati City, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said that Duterte already agreed to go for con-ass, instead of con-con.

Diokno’s advice

Alvarez said the President was convinced by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno during the first of the NSC meeting in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Diokno argued that Duterte’s original proposal to call for an election of con-con delegates is highly expensive.

“President Duterte agreed last night [with Diokno]...The [proposal will cost the] national government around P6-7 billion if we will pursue con-con,” said Alvarez.

Meanwhile, the House leader allayed fears that con-ass can be used by lawmakers for their own stake, saying consultations with various sectors will be regularly done to inform the public on its status.

“I assure with the blessing of President Duterte, we will do this correctly… the Duterte Administration is very determined to do it. We will hold a series of dialogues and consultations with various groups so the public would know better about federalism,” said Alvarez.

One-year deadline

Alvarez said lawmakers acting as members of con-ass will have one year to finish the revised draft of the proposed new Constitution.

The final draft will be ratified by the public through a plebiscite, which, in their timetable, will be held during the 2019 mid-term polls.

If the public later agreed during the referendum and accepted the new Constitution, there will be a transition government for three years and an election will be held by 2022 under the new charter.