DRAFT FEDERAL CHARTER NOT ETCHED IN STONE–SOTTO

It’s still up to Congress whether to accept the proposed federal Constitution drafted by the consultative committee, according to Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

“Nothing is written in stone as of now,” Sotto said in a text exchange with reporters who sought his comment on specific provisions of the proposed Charter.

On July 3, the committee created by President Duterte to review and revise the Constitution approved the draft introducing the shift from the country’s unitary form of government to a federal one.

Some of the highlights include the division of the country into 18 federal regions, including the Cordilleras and the Bangsamoro, and fixing of the term of the President and Vice President to four years with one reelection.

Asked if Congress could just adopt the entire draft, Sotto said it would be complicated. “How can you adopt something you have not studied, reviewed or understood?” he said.

No interference

He also doubted that President Duterte would impose his will on Congress by asking for the approval of the committee’s proposal.

“Knowing the President, he will not do that. He has never interfered with us,” Sotto said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon agreed that the committee’s output “will just serve as a reference” to Congress.

He said the Senate should now determine whether there’s a need to amend the Constitution and whether to do this through a constituent assembly or a constitutional convention.