MANILA – The proposed Charter change for federalism is definitely dead in the Senate, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Thursday.
At the weekly forum Kapihan as Senado, Lacson also said, “Right now the proposed Cha-cha is just waiting to be cremated.”
Senators, he said, are one in their decision not to make any move that would initiate Charter amendments.
“Solid ang Senado na hindi kami papasok sa isang cause of action. Meaning hindi kami gagawa ng aksyon na magkakaroon ng oportunidad na kekwestyunin sa Supreme Court at ’di na kami makaatras. As of now, we will just fold our arms and do nothing.”
Lacson said he believes the Senate would be trapped if it will adopt a resolution convening the Senate and House of Representatives as a constituent assembly for Charter change.
The House of Representatives earlier approved a resolution for that purpose but this has no counterpart in the Senate.
Lacson echoed the earlier statement of Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri that they will not preempt the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.
“If you notice nandoon pa sa committee level at ang pinag-uusapan pa lang ano ang mode na gagamitin. We are not about to preempt iyong ginagawa ng committee,” he said.
Moreover, the senator said that if the administration is really pushing for Charter change, it should do it through a constitutional convention (Con-con) where delegates would be elected to review and amend the 1987 Charter.
“May iba pang mode. Pwede naman ang Con-con. Bakit kailangang pilitin ang Con-ass,” he said.
He would agree to a constituent assembly only if the economic provisions are reviewed and amended.
“Kung ako ang tatanungin, kung economic provisions lang marami ang papayag kasi ang ating 1987 Constitution is too nationalistic, naging overprotective, nasama ang economic provisions, constrained tayo ng provision ng Saligang Batas,” he said.
Last Wednesday, the House urged the Senate anew to agree on Con-ass.
The 1987 Constitution provides three ways to carry out Charter change:
* Con-ass, through which only members of Congress have the power to choose the changes that will be made on the Charter
* Con-con, in which the citizens will select the people who will amend the Charter
* People’s Initiative, which involves a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters. (GMA News)
