Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 5) — A lawmaker from the progressive Makabayan bloc questioned the House of Representatives’ rush to push through with charter change amid the possible approval on third reading this week of a resolution calling for a constitutional convention.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said the priority given by the House to Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 raised doubts about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement that charter change isn’t a priority for him.
RBH 6, which calls for a constitutional convention to propose amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution, was approved on second reading via voice vote on February 28.
Plenary debates have also started on House Bill 7532, the accompanying bill to RBH 6, which lays out the details of the proposed convention, such as its funding source and the qualifications of delegates.
“Likely yung Resolution of Both Houses Number 6 ay maipasa on third and final reading bukas, Monday, March 6. Pagde-debatehan na rin ang implementing bill kung paano mangyayari ang constitutional convention para baguhin ang Constitution,” said Manuel.
“Kung hindi talaga priority, bakit yung House of Representatives minamadali yung pagkakapasa ng charter change? Meron talagang misplaced priorities,” he added.
[Translation: Resolution of Both Houses Number 6 will likely be passed on the third and final reading on Monday, March 6. There will be a debate on the implementing bill on how the constitutional convention will happen to change the Constitution. If it really isn’t a priority, then why does the House of Representatives want to hurry up the passage of charter change? There really are misplaced priorities.]
Instead of rushing charter change, Manuel said the House should prioritize instead the passage of bills that would provide immediate relief to people experiencing economic hardships. He said charter change is not only ill-timed — there’s also no assurance that the proposed amendments would be limited to the Constitution’s economic provisions.
