Con-ass as cheaper cha-cha mode? Ex-CJ Puno says that’s a ‘cheap argument’

Retired chief justice Reynato Puno on Wednesday called it a “cheap argument” that convening Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) is the better mode of amending the 1987 Constitution for being less expensive than a constitutional convention (con-con).

“That’s a cheap argument. We should not count the cost when writing the Constitution. A good Constitution is the best investment a people can make,” Puno said.

Puno, along with other former members of the judiciary, was attending the joint hearing of the Senate committees on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, and electoral reforms and people’s participation on cha-cha proposals.

Puno said he was in favor of a “hybrid” con-con wherein members are both elected and appointed delegates.

He said the con-con should be “non-partisan,” wherein representatives from political parties are banned, and delegates are elected on the basis of their platform and expertise.

Meanwhile, Puno is of the position that if Congress decides to constitute itself as con-ass, voting should be done separately.

“They have difference in perspectives and these perspectives are to be reflected institutionally; the House as one institution and the Senate as another institution,” Puno said.

“The numerical superiority of the House will simply overwhelm the Senate,” he stressed.

On Tuesday night, the House of Representatives adopted the resolution seeking to convene Congress into a con-ass to propose amendments in the Constitution.

Several senators have previously said that they will oppose joint voting on cha-cha. — MDM, GMA News