The move to introduce changes in the 1987 Constitution via a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) has begun to snowball in the House of Representatives (HOR).

This, after two House Deputy Speakers in Cebu-3rd district Rep. Gwen Garcia and Batangas 2nd district Rep. Raneo Abu both withdrew their respective measures calling for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), which was the other popular mode for Charter change (Cha-cha) among congressmen.

 

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments is set to begin today its deliberations on proposals calling for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) and Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) as a mode of amending the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal system of government.

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte can do away with the multibillion-peso cost of holding a constitutional convention (con-con) if the number of delegates is reduced to 80 or even 18, according to Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

ILOILO CITY — An official of the Catholic Church in Iloilo is opposing a move led by President Duterte to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass).

“A Con-ass is dangerous because this could be exploited by politicians for their personal and political agenda,” said Monsignor Meliton Oso, executive director of the Jaro Archdiocese Social Action Center.

What’s in a mode of amending the Constitution? The Makabayan bloc in the House of
Representatives immediately reacted with vehemence when the President announced that the
Constitution should instead be revised through a Constituent Assembly to save some P6 billion,
the estimated cost of creating a Constitutional Convention.

EXPECT POLITICIANS to invoke their favorite but deeply flawed “Vox populi vox Dei” line.

Sen. Nancy Binay once sneered: “It’s the people who will vote.” Is it really the people who will vote? Studies show otherwise.

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Senate President Franklin Drilon filed a resolution pushing for constitution convention to revise the 1987 Constitution.

Drilon said there is a need to re-examine the 29-year-old Constitution and see “if it is still attuned or responsive to the demands of present-day realities."