Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday mentioned he’s open to amend the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution via constitutional conference (con-con) if the general public says so.
“Opo. Katulad ng sinabi ko, kung ngayon kasi, ang number one concern ng taumbayan ay ekonomiya. Lahat ‘yan, lahat ng tao tanungin n’yo gusto nila trabaho, magandang sweldo,” Padilla mentioned in a press convention when requested if he’s open to tinkering the political provisions of the constitution.
“Pero siyempre ‘pag nag-public hearing, maririnig mo na rin ang nasa malayong lugar. Tingnan natin kung totoo talaga,” he added.
He mentioned the House of Representatives determined to pursue Charter change via con-con after seven public hearings.
“Kasi ang sabi ng Kongreso kaya nila isinusulong ang con-con dahil nagsagawa sila ng public hearing at hinihingi ng tao ang con-con, hinihingi ng taumbayan na magkaroon ng pagbabago sa porma ng gobyerno, sa term extension,” he mentioned.
“‘Yan din po siyempre ang gusto nating gawin. ‘Di naman po pwedeng tayo sa Senado (umasa) lang sa public hearing ng Mababang Kapulungan. Kaya po tayo gagawa din ng sarili nating public hearing. Pag sinabi halimbawa pag nakumbinsi ako ng taumbayan handa ang tao sa con-con, e di ia-adopt ko anong sinabi ng Kongreso,” he added.
Earlier this month, Padilla filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 3 which seeks to amend the financial provisions of the 1987 Constitutions via a constituent meeting (con-ass).
Under Section XVII of the 1987 Constitution, any modification or revision to the Constitution could also be proposed by Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members (con-ass), via con-con, or individuals’s initiative.
In a con-con, those that will amend the Charter will probably be elected by the individuals.
On Thursday, the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, which Padilla chairs, will start the hearings on RBH 3 and two different measures.
The first public listening to will probably be held in Davao City.
While he expressed openness to amend the Charter’s political provisions via con-con, Padilla mentioned he’ll prioritize the financial provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
For Padilla, it might take an extended course of in the event that they embrace political provisions in Cha-cha talks.
“Ang hiling ko, unahin natin ang economic provision ng Saligang Batas. Pagkatapos noon maramdaman ng tao na inaasikaso natin—kasi ito sandali lang ito eh, economic provision wala itong anim na buwan kung gusto nating tapusin… ‘Pag pinag-usapan natin ang political structure ng bansa mga mahal kong kababayan, litawan na diyan ang kanya-kanyang interest sa pulitika. Ang haba po niyan,” he mentioned.
Padilla additionally expressed perception that Cha-cha has higher possibilities within the Senate if they are going to restrict it to the financial provisions.
The neophyte lawmaker additional argued that amending the Constitution via con-ass requires much less funds and fewer time.
“‘Yan ang compromise. Economic provision lang tayo talaga muna. Sa akin, doon muna tayo sa pinakamatipid. Di natin masyadong isa-shock ang taumbayan, eleksyon na naman? May election na ang barangay, may election na naman sa con-con, para tayong laging nag-e-election,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara mentioned he’s open to Charter change however he expressed reservation on amending the Constitution via con-con.
“Yung con-con ang pinakamagastos at matrabahong paraan ng pagrebisa sa Konstitusyon,” mentioned Angara, a member of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.
He mentioned that the P10,000 day by day wage to the delegates of the con-con as accredited by a House panel is simply too excessive.
Further, Angara mentioned the incumbent elected officers mustn’t profit from any amendments to the Constitution, particularly if it goals to increase the phrases of the workplace.
While she respects Padilla’s prerogative as chairman of the Senate constitutional amendments panel, Senator Nancy Binay reiterated that the issues on the Constitution’s financial provisions will probably be addressed by the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and Foreign Investments Act.
“Mas magandang i-prioritize na ang [implementing rules and regulations] ng mga ito kaysa itulak pa nating nang itulak ang Cha-cha sa kabila ng mga krisis na kinahaharap natin,” Binay mentioned in a textual content message.
She emphasised that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had already said that Cha-cha is just not the administration’s precedence.
“Ang dapat nating pag-usapan sana at i-prioritize eh ‘yung mga sagot at solusyon sa ating problem. Sana unahin natin ang kumakalam na sikmura, di con-con o Cha-cha,” she mentioned.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her half, mentioned inflation, poverty, and corruption are the extra urgent points that should be addressed with aggressive political will and focus.
“Bakit may sense of urgency sa Charter change, pero wala sa mga isyung ito na ramdam na ramdam ng mga Pilipino? Nahihirapan ang mga Pilipino, pero inuuna ang Cha-cha na hindi rin naman nakakain,” she mentioned in an announcement.
She added placing Cha-cha entrance and middle is simply one other main distraction, and can solely sideline pressing points as “the economy is worsening and the agricultural sector is laden with so much scandal.”
“Redirecting large amounts of our limited resources to Charter change at this time will just do more damage. I am glad the President has explicitly articulated that this is not a priority; I hope his allies in Congress act accordingly,” she additional mentioned.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
