Con-com to submit proposed federal Charter to Duterte on July 9

President Rodrigo Duterte's consultative committee (Con-com) proposing changes to the 1987 Constitution is "on track" to submit a draft federal Charter to the chief executive on July 9.

Duterte will deliver his 2018 State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 23.

Con-com spokesman Ding Generoso told reporters on Thursday that the expert panel will hold regional presentations and consultations in at least five cities: Dumaguete, Butuan, Legazpi, Baguio, and Tacloban, before turning in the envisioned new Constitution to Duterte.

The Con-com hopes to vote on the entire draft Constitution in an en banc session next week, before the end of Ramadan, he said.

Among the articles still awaiting finalization are those on federated regions, transitory provisions, and further amendments, Generoso explained, adding that the completed articles are now undergoing refinement on style and consistency.

"We are not rushing into this, mahaba pa 'yung proseso na dadaanan," he said.

The initial schedule of the regional consultations is June 17 to 19 for Dumaguete City; June 21 to 23 for Butuan City and Legazpi City; and June 25 to 27 for Baguio City and Tacloban City.

The Con-com would partner with the Presidential Management Staff - Office of Regional Concerns, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Presidential Communications Operations Office - Philippine Information Agency for the regional consultations.

"All feedback from the consultations would be submitted [to Duterte]," Generoso said. — MDM/KBK, GMA News