The House of Representatives has begun plenary deliberations on the measure seeking to convene a Constitutional convention (con-con), which will be tasked to propose amendments to the 36-year-old Charter.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez delivered his sponsorship speech for Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 during plenary session Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22.

Rodriguez chairs the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, which has held at least seven public consultations-slash-hearings on the various proposed Charter change (Cha-cha) filed in the current 19th Congress.

The first hearing was held in mid-December, or a little over two months ago.

The con-con being sought in RBH No.6 is a "hybrid" type, meaning its delegates will be composed of both elected and appointed individuals. Normally, con-con delegates--which represent all districts of the country--are elected.

The con-con is one of three ways by which Cha-cha can be carried out. The two other methods are a constituent assembly (con-ass) and people's initiative (PI).

In his sponsorship speech, Rodriguez gave an idea of just long Philippine lawmakers jave been pursing amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

"Grit or the power of passion and perseverance keeps the House of Representatives focused on its mandate to pursue constitutional reforms for the last twenty four (24) years despite the challenges and bad perception in some quarters," he said.

"Why this sustained effort?…The compelling reason is that this institution cannot turn its back from the truth and reality that the 1987 Constitution needs to be reviewed for it is the third most restrictive in the world and the most restrictive in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Its inflexibility and restrictiveness hampers foreign direct investments (FDIs) to come in as much as they do in other countries," he explained.

In justifying the proposed con-con under RBH No.6, Rodriguez said, "It is important that constitutional reforms be completed through a transparent process that ensures the participation by the nation at large."

"In keeping with the sovereign mandate of the people, the new Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines should be truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino nation, and not just of a select few," he added.

The consideration of RBH No.6 was suspended shortly before Wednesday’s session was adjourned.