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Cha-cha not dependent on president's endorsement —Padilla
Amending the 1987 Constitution is not dependent on the endorsement of the sitting president, Senator Robin Padilla, one of the proponents of Charter change in the Senate, said Wednesday.
During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay, Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, pointed out that Charter change did not pass during the previous Congress despite the support of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Doon po natin makikita na hindi po ito nakasalalay sa pangulo. Ito po ay nakasalalay sa amin, sa mataas at mababang kapulungan," he said.
(We can see that Charter change is not dependent on the president but on the Senate and the House of Representatives.)
Padilla said he agrees with Marcos that he as President should not meddle in Charter change discussions as it is not part of his mandate.
"Sa Konstitusyon, ang magde-desisyon po dito ay legislation at taongbayan sa pamamagitan ng plebesito. Wala po siyang papel," Padilla said.
(Under the Constitution, only Congress and the public, through a plebiscite, could decide on Charter change. The president has no role in it.)
Padilla reiterated his push to amend only the economic provisions of the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). He assured the public that political amendments are not included.
The actor-turned-politician also said he will not agree should current discussions on Charter change venture into politics.
"Ako po ay mag-iingay kapag ang usapan po dito ay napunta na sa pulitika. Maniwala po kayo sa akin. Hindi po ako kapit-tuko sa posisyon na ito. Araw-araw po na ginawa ng Diyos, wala po akong gustong gawin kundi mag-resign," he said.
(Believe me, I will make noise if the discussions go to politics. I have no intention of clinging on to this position. Every day I always think about resigning.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News
