Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday mentioned he’s open to discussions on amending the 1987 Constitution through constituent meeting (con-ass), a mode of constitution change whereby members of Congress would be the ones approved to amend the constitution.
Romualdez issued the assertion after Leyte Representative Richard Gomez mentioned in a press convention that Romualdez is already in favor of con-ass even when the House of Representatives accepted two measures that search constitution change through constituent conference (con-con), a mode whereby the general public will elect delegates who will draft the brand new constitution.
Both con-ass and con-con are supplied for within the Constitution. The Constitution, nevertheless, doesn’t explicitly state if the House and Senate will vote individually or collectively in a con-ass technique.
“If the Senate wants a different mode, that is their discretion. The House leadership, however, is willing to open discussions with the Senate on their preferred mode of amending the Constitution if that will lead to an agreement between the two chambers,” mentioned Romualdez.
“We are open to consider any proposal of the Senate and will submit such a proposal to members of the House. This was what I related to Rep. Richard Gomez when he informed me that senators are amenable to economic amendments but through con-ass,” he added.
Romualdez then lauded the efforts of Gomez and Senator Robinhood Padilla in attempting to forge an settlement between the House and the Senate on constitution change.
While the House already accepted Resolution of Both Houses 6 calling for con-con to amend the 1987 Constitution and House Bill 7325 or the Con-con Bill which supplies for the composition of con-con and a P10,000 compensation per delegate per date of attendance, constitution change initiatives within the Senate are caught in committee degree discussions.
Senate President Miguel Zubiri had additionally mentioned that there have been not sufficient sure votes for constitution change measures to move within the Senate.
Zubiri beforehand mentioned that he’s “confused” why legislators from the House of Representatives are dashing the Senate to behave on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution. Romualdez replied by saying that legislators are working at a quick tempo as a result of public curiosity is at stake. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
