Padilla open to amend political provisions of Constitution via con-con if public says so

Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday said he is open to amend the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution through constitutional convention (con-con) if the public says so.

"Opo. Katulad ng sinabi ko, kung ngayon kasi, ang number one concern ng taumbayan ay ekonomiya. Lahat 'yan, lahat ng tao tanungin n'yo gusto nila trabaho, magandang sweldo," Padilla said in a press conference when asked if he is open to tinkering the political provisions of the charter.

"Pero siyempre 'pag nag-public hearing, maririnig mo na rin ang nasa malayong lugar. Tingnan natin kung totoo talaga," he added.

He said the House of Representatives decided to pursue Charter change through con-con after seven public hearings.

"Kasi ang sabi ng Kongreso kaya nila isinusulong ang con-con dahil nagsagawa sila ng public hearing at hinihingi ng tao ang con-con, hinihingi ng taumbayan na magkaroon ng pagbabago sa porma ng gobyerno, sa term extension," he said.

"'Yan din po siyempre ang gusto nating gawin. 'Di naman po pwedeng tayo sa Senado (umasa) lang sa public hearing ng Mababang Kapulungan. Kaya po tayo gagawa din ng sarili nating public hearing. Pag sinabi halimbawa pag nakumbinsi ako ng taumbayan handa ang tao sa con-con, e di ia-adopt ko anong sinabi ng Kongreso," he added.

Earlier this month, Padilla filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 3 which seeks to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitutions through a constituent assembly (con-ass).

Under Section XVII of the 1987 Constitution, any amendment or revision to the Constitution may be proposed by Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members (con-ass), through con-con, or people's initiative.

In a con-con, those who will amend the Charter will be elected by the people.

On Thursday, the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, which Padilla chairs, will commence the hearings on RBH 3 and two other measures.

The first public hearing will be held in Davao City.

While he expressed openness to amend the Charter's political provisions through con-con, Padilla said he will prioritize the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

For Padilla, it would take a long process if they include political provisions in Cha-cha talks.

"Ang hiling ko, unahin natin ang economic provision ng Saligang Batas. Pagkatapos noon maramdaman ng tao na inaasikaso natin—kasi ito sandali lang ito eh, economic provision wala itong anim na buwan kung gusto nating tapusin... 'Pag pinag-usapan natin ang political structure ng bansa mga mahal kong kababayan, litawan na diyan ang kanya-kanyang interest sa pulitika. Ang haba po niyan," he said.

Padilla also expressed belief that Cha-cha has better chances in the Senate if they will limit it to the economic provisions.

The neophyte lawmaker further argued that amending the Constitution through con-ass requires less budget and less time.

"'Yan ang compromise. Economic provision lang tayo talaga muna. Sa akin, doon muna tayo sa pinakamatipid. Di natin masyadong isa-shock ang taumbayan, eleksyon na naman? May election na ang barangay, may election na naman sa con-con, para tayong laging nag-e-election," he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara said he is open to Charter change but he expressed reservation on amending the Constitution through con-con.

"Yung con-con ang pinakamagastos at matrabahong paraan ng pagrebisa sa Konstitusyon," said Angara, a member of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

He said that the P10,000 daily salary to the delegates of the con-con as approved by a House panel is too high.

Further, Angara said the incumbent elected officials should not benefit from any amendments to the Constitution, especially if it aims to extend the terms of the office.

While she respects Padilla's  prerogative as chairman of the Senate constitutional amendments panel,  Senator Nancy Binay reiterated that the  concerns on the Constitution's economic provisions will be addressed by the Public Service Act, Retail Trade  Liberalization Act, and Foreign Investments Act.

"Mas magandang i-prioritize na ang [implementing rules and regulations] ng mga ito kaysa itulak pa nating nang itulak ang Cha-cha sa kabila ng mga krisis na kinahaharap natin," Binay said in a text message.

She emphasized that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. had already stated that Cha-cha is not the administration's priority.

"Ang dapat nating pag-usapan sana at i-prioritize eh 'yung mga sagot at solusyon sa ating problem. Sana unahin natin ang kumakalam na sikmura, di con-con o Cha-cha," she said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, for her part, said inflation, poverty, and corruption are the more pressing issues that need to be addressed with aggressive political will and focus.

"Bakit may sense of urgency sa Charter change, pero wala sa mga isyung ito na ramdam na ramdam ng mga Pilipino? Nahihirapan ang mga Pilipino, pero inuuna ang Cha-cha na hindi rin naman nakakain," she said in a statement.

She added putting Cha-cha front and center is just another major distraction, and will only sideline urgent issues as "the economy is worsening and the agricultural sector is laden with so much scandal."

"Redirecting large amounts of our limited resources to Charter change at this time will just do more damage.  I am glad the President has explicitly articulated that this is not a priority; I hope his allies in Congress act accordingly," she further said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News