After just three days worth of plenary debates, Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which calls for the creation of a constitutional convention (con-con), has been passed on second reading by the House of Representatives.
The second-reading approval of RBH No.6, which paves the way for Charter change (Cha-cha) via the hybrid con-con method, took place during plenary session Tuesday night, Feb. 28.
House Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza announced the penultimate passage of measure following a simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).
This sets up the possibility of RBH No.6's third and final reading approval next week.
A key amendment made by a member of the House majority, Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, to RBH No.6 before voice voting was to put in the language of the measure that the proposed revisions to the existing 1987 Constitution would be about its economic provisions.
The amendment was promptly accepted by the measure's sponsor, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. Rodriguez chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, which is the mother committee of all the Cha-cha bills filed in the current 19th Congress.
The plenary debates on the controversial measure began only last Wednesday, Feb. 22, when Rodriguez delivered his sponsorship speech. RBH No.6 was subjected to debates afterward.
The next two plenary sessions took place Monday, Feb. 27, and Tuesday, Feb. 28.
On Tuesday, opposition lawmakers Albay 1st district Rep. Edcel Lagman and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel were able to debate against Rodriguez.
The period of debates was ended soon after, paving the way for Defensor's amendment.
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Earlier in the day, the House Committee on Appropriations chaired by AKO-BICOL Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co approved the budgetary requirements of the con-con.
To be composed of 304 elected and appointed delegates, the con-con will be tasked to come up with possible amendments to the 36-year-old Charter. The term of the delegates will last seven months.
Rodriguez has previously said that P5 billion would be spent on the entire con-con.