Senate panel to hold hearing on timeliness of Cha-cha amid COVID-19

The Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments will conduct a hearing on the timeliness of the proposed Charter change this week, panel chairperson Senator Kiko Pangilinan said Monday.

Among those who have confirmed attendance to the inquiry this coming Wednesday are 1987 Constitution framers Florangel Rosario Braid, Christian Monsod, and former Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, former Supreme Court Justice Vicente Mendoza, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, and Department of Justice Chief State Counsel George Ortha II would also be among the resource persons.

"Prejudicial questions" related to the proposed charter amendments would be taken up during the hearing, according to Pangilinan.

"Una, given COVID and ‘yung ating krisis sa ekonomiya, napapanahon ba mag-Charter change? Pangalawa, kung napapanahon ang Charter change, ito ba ay dapat con-ass [constitutional assembly] o con-con [constitutional convention]? Tapos pangatlo, kung con-con, e ‘di maliwanag yung eleksyon, kailan?" he said.

“Kung con-ass naman, mayroon pang isang isyu na hanggang ngayon hindi pa nareresolba: Ito ba ay dapat voting jointly ang Senate at House. Ibig sabihin ay 300 plus senators and congressmen sabay boboto ng three-fourths vote? O three-fourths vote separately, ibig sabihin three-fourths vote ang Senate, at three-fourths vote ng House," he added.

In a con-ass, members of Congress are convened to amend the Constitution. In a con-con, the people who will amend the Charter will be elected by the people.

Pangilinan's panel will discuss Resolution of Both House No. 1 and Senate Joint Resolution No. 1 filed by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Richard Gordon, respectively, in July 2019, which both seek to amend restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.

Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, filed by Senators Francis Tolentino and Bato Dela Rosa last December as they sought Congress to convene as a con-ass, will also be taken up.

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, led by Ako Bicol party-list representative Alfredo Garbin Jr., also conducted a hearing on the so-called economic charter change earlier this month. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News