Cha-cha not a priority in Senate, says Sotto

Charter change is not among the priorities of the Senate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Tuesday ahead of the resumption of session.

"It's not listed in our priorities but if the House of Representatives will transmit to us then we will take it up," Sotto said in a message.

This was after the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Monday said it is set to convene soon to discuss the proposal of over a thousand mayors from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines on constitutional reforms.

Nonetheless, Sotto said the Senate Committee on Local Government, led by Senator Francis Tolentino, could look into the mayors' appeal.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, meanwhile, maintained his position that talks on Charter change should be set aside amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Regardless of the merit, the issue on Cha-cha is the timing. Should we debate on Cha-cha now, which is a very divisive issue, or should we concentrate all our efforts and resources on economic recovery?" he said in a separate message.

Malacañang also said on Monday that reforming the Constitution is not the priority of the administration despite President Rodrigo Duterte's previous calls for a shift to a federal form of government. -MDM, GMA News