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[av_heading heading=’Speak up on Cha-cha, Negrenses urged’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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Saturday, March 18, 2017
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BACOLOD City – The chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments urged Negrenses to share their thoughts on the proposed Charter Change.
“We wish our people will express their sentiments. We will bring these to Congress,” said Southern Leyte’s Cong. Roger Mercado yesterday.
He was here to conduct consultations on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution, specifically on the planned change in the form of government to federal.
Do Filipinos see the need to revise the Constitution, and if yes, through which mode? Mercado said these are some of the things the public consultations want to find out.
There are three modes available, said Mercado – constitutional convention, people’s initiative or Congress (Senate and Lower House) convening itself as a constituent assembly.
As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, however, members already agreed on a constituent assembly, he stressed.
Yesterday’s public consultation was held at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC). Mercado was accompanied by four Negrense House members – Mercedez Alvarez (6th District, Negros Occidental), Alfredo Benitez (3rd District , Negros Occidental), Alejandro Mirasol (5th District, Negros Occidental), and Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental).
President Duterte asked Congress to fast-track moves to put in place a federal system of government in the country, stressing that this was the key to bringing peace in conflict-ridden Mindanao.
Duterte said he wanted the federal system put in place during his term, given the trust placed on him by people from Mindanao.
He also reiterated his promise that he would step down even before his term ends to pave the way for this new system, but it must also have a strong President.
He said he had told Speaker Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez to put in place the federal system in two to three years.
Also present during yesterday’s consultations were congressmen Lawrence Lemuel Fortun (1st District, Agusan del Norte), Gus Tambunting (2nd District, Parañaque ) and Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (2nd District, Compostela Valley).
Mercado said Charter Change may be achieved before the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends./PN
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