Escudero: Padilla’s Cha-cha SC petition ‘premature’

Senate President Francis “Chiz’ Escudero on Wednesday described Senator Robin Padilla's motion before the Supreme Court to set oral arguments regarding his petition on the amendments to the 1987 Constitution as “premature.” 

“Personally, sa aking pananaw, at hindi ko sinasabi na tama ito, wala pang jurisdiction ang Korte Suprema dahil premature ang pagkakahain ng kaso dahil wala naman justiciable o controversy na nire-require ng korte bago ito mag-assume ng jurisdiction sa anumang petition na inihahain sa kanila,” said Escudero in a press briefing. 

(In my opinion, the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction yet on this matter because the filing of the motion was premature because there is no controversy that requires the SC to assume jurisdiction on the petition.)

“Sinabi ko na ang opinion ko bilang abogado, pero ayoko pangunahan ang Korte kung ano ang gagawin nila,” he added. 

(That's my opinion as a lawyer. I don't want to preempt the Court on what they will do.)

Padilla, who chairs the Senate panel on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, asked the High Court earlier in the day to set oral arguments for his petition regarding the voting of the Congress on charter change.

Padilla also recently asked the SC for an "authoritative declaration" on whether Congress should vote jointly or separately on amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

He said that his motion was "filed in good faith and is not intended to delay the proceedings of this case."

While he respects Padilla’s action, Escudero said that it does not represent the whole Senate. 

“Iyan ay personal niyang desisyon. Hindi ‘yan kinunsulta o tinanong sa akin o sa sinumang miyembro ng Senado. Hindi ‘yan action ng Senado,” said Escudero. 

(That was his personal decision. He did not consult or ask any member of the Senate regarding this. That is not the action of the Senate.) 

Escudero earlier said that the Senate will place proposals on constitutional change on the backburner, noting that the upper chamber will "set aside items which merely dissipate our energy and divide the public." --VAL, GMA Integrated News