Let the Cha-cha debates begin – Palace

Let the debate on Charter change (cha-cha) begin. The government is prepared to engage the public in “debates, discussions and arguments” on the proposed amendments to Constitution for the shift to a federal form of government.

After a recent opinion poll showed more Filipinos are opposed to Charter change, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said they intend to intensify the campaign for federalism, adding they want the “active engagement” of the people.

“We are ready for debates, discussions, arguments. Ultimately we want our people to consider the greater possibilities to make change an inclusive experience when resources are distributed more democratically,” he added.

President Duterte earlier pushed for the shift from a unitary-presidential form of government to a federal-parliamentary system to ensure a more equitable power and wealth across the country.

Con-Ass opposed

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat’s “Legitimate Eight” vehemently opposed yesterday the Con-Ass as a mode of amending the Constitution, fearing that Congress, sitting as Con-Ass will only become as a “rubberstamp.”

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a lawyer said the Minority bloc is “in favor” of Con-Con and not Con-Ass.

“We should not miserly count centavos and pesos for a very important undertaking like a whole scale revision of the Constitution like the shift to federalism-parliamentary. We must be ready to appropriate and spend the requisite amount for constitutional amendments, which once ratified in a plebiscite, would last for generations to come,” he said.

Con-Con preparations

Notwithstanding the Duterte administration’s bid to support convening a constituent assembly (ConAss) to revise the 1987 Constitution, the House of Representatives will still make preparations to convene a constitutional convention (ConCon) which will include postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.

This developed as Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez yesterday predicted that Filipinos still entertaining doubts over the federal system proposal will transform into believers as soon as the Duterte administration and supporters of federalism launch a massive information campaign.

Alvarez also aired hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will act urgent to the proposal for the creation of a 20-man constitutional commission that will act as an advisory panel to Congress once it convenes into a conass.

Term extension

However, even as the Malacañang backed majority supported the holding of the Con-Ass, its members have not totally abadoned the possibility of holding a Concon.

During yesterday’s majority bloc caucus presided by Alvarez, members of the House majority agreed to prepare for ConCon by giving incumbent barangay officials to serve beyond their term.

The term of office of barangay officials end after the elections in October. On the other hand, SK will be revived with the election of new officers also in October.

More than 3 million have registered for the October 31 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said of the 3,095,187 total new registrants, 1.6 million are for SK or those aged 15 to 17 years old.

Bishop: Exclude Congress

Meanwhile, a Catholic prelate wants Congress excluded from the process of amending the country’s Charter.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said Congress should be excluded from the process so that it will not be “selfserving.”

“I am opposed to amending the Constitution by the Congress alone by declaring itself as Constituent Assembly. This is definitely self-serving,” said Bastes in an interview. The Sorsogon prelate stressed that “people must be consulted in major issues.” (With reports from Leslie Ann G. Aquino, Charissa M. Luci, and Ben R. Rosario)