MikeLigalig.com

The committee on Constitutional amendments at the House of Representatives on Tuesday decided to conduct public consultations on Charter change (Cha-cha) as its members failed to concur on whether to push through with amending the 1987 Constitution.

Panel chair Rep. Victor Ortega, during the hearing this afternoon, said representatives from various sectors, including the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), will be invited for the public consultations to be held on November 25.

He also urged other congressmen to invite whomever they deem necessary for the public forum so the House panel can thresh out the different arguments on the controversial issue.

Several congressmen, during the hearing, presented the results of their informal consultations with their constituents when they had a month-long recess, with majority saying their people favor Charter change.

Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia said, "there is really no serious need for consultations on whether we need Charter Change or not. The need for change in the Constitution is obvious."

"As of now, the vote to amend the Constitution does not depend on the people. It is with us, and we represent the people... It is a question of political will on the part of the House and on the part of the Senate," he said.

On the other hand, 4th District Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino said the House panel must first identify provisions in the Constitution that may be changed or amended before asking the public to decide whether they favor Charter change.

"I believe the need for change has already been established... I think it's more effective for us to come up with a manner by which to effect Cha-cha, but at the same time mitigate the suspicions (that it will be used to extend terms)," he said.

For his part, opposition lawmakers such as Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez maintained that public consultations must be exhausted before the House panel can decide on whether to push through with Charter Change. - PNA

Mike,

Bottom line is, the elect who supposedly representing the people cannot make a solid decision due to their lack of "Will", that comes as a gift to lead for change. It is a cycle in the Philippine governing system... It's sad to see people setting in leadership, that don't have the knowledge in public governance.....

cheers

Rodolfo Antonino's comments to identify the provisions in the Constitution that will be proposed for amendment before asking the people whether or not they favor a change in the charter is all very logical. every one has been talking either to support or reject a charter change. yet no one has moved -- until now -- to identify which provisions in the constitution to change so people will have a basis for making a choice. this is obviously the first step to undertake, and then go from there...

mu chacha ra ko after 2010..
kung karun ta mag chacha, no doubt ang mga hidden and hideous agenda sa atong mga politico mao nay ila siguraduhon kay mao ra man ila tumong..
and with regard to the process, i suggest a constitutional convention rather than congress converting itself as a constituent assembly..

it might be logical to try to find out first what the proponents for a charter change want to change in the constitution before deciding to change it or not, before making any conclusions.

bolingitboy: the power of the constituent assembly/constitutional convention after given the authority to amend the charter is plenary.. whatever is laid before the public as their proposed amendments before the grant of authority can be sidelined during its deliberations.. its politics as usual..

but there's no harm in trying though, sir bolingitboy.. who knows malamdagan ining panahona ang mga politico sa espiritu santo..

you may have a point there, calle. but a constitutional convention might address the apprehensions that you expressed. at least there will be representatives of the people who will be sitting as convention members and they can be as vigilant as they would like to be to ensure that the real/original intentions for which the conventionis called is not defeated. there is always the danger of having the way of what most politicians want though, and that is a constituent assembly.