Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Robin Padilla has asked the Supreme Court to settle the long-standing debate of whether Congress should vote jointly or separately when amending the Constitution.
Padilla, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, on Monday, Aug. 5, filed a petition for declaratory relief, asking the high court to “remove the ambiguities” in Article 17 of the 1987 Constitution.
Section 1 states that Congress may propose an amendment or revision to the Constitution upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members. Section 3 states that the bicameral body, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, may also call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote submit to the electorate the question of calling such. Under a constitutional convention, the public would elect representatives to introduce amendments.
The Constitution is silent on whether the Senate and the House of Representatives should vote jointly or separately. Senators have long opposed a joint voting saying their 24 votes would be irrelevant against more than 300 House members.
This is also Padilla’s position.
“Kailangan maliwanag sabihin ng Supreme Court na voting separately,” Padilla told reporters after the filing.
“Kasi pinipilit, nag-file ang House of Representatives, ang gusto nila voting jointly. Hindi naman pupuwede yan,” he added.
[Translation: The Supreme Court should clarify that it should be voting separately. Because there are those who insist – the House of Representatives earlier passed a resolution on voting jointly. That cannot be.]
Padilla recalled the clashing statements under the leadership of then Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez – which led to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stepping in.
“Nakikiusap po tayo sa Supreme Court na iresolba nila ang away na ito (We request the Supreme Court to resolve this squabble),” Padilla said.
The House has approved a resolution seeking to amend economic provisions in the Constitution. Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said this is not a priority for the chamber.
NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report
