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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Con-con delegates' inputs can't be restricted to economic amendments--Rodriguez

Con-con delegates' inputs can't be restricted to economic amendments--Rodriguez

Published Mar 1, 2023 05:46 pm

Delegates of the planned constitutional convention (con-con) will be able to propose any kind of amendment--economic or otherwise--to the 1987 Constitution.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (above, gesturing) confirms that con-con delegates would be able to propose any kind of amendments to the Charter, and not just strictly economic amendments.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, made this admission to House reporters Wednesday afternoon, March 1 in a chance interview.

"That is correct. We have to be clear on that. If it's a con-con (constitutional convention), we have elected and appointed delegates and they will be holding constituent plenary powers and so we cannot prevent them even if our resolution really says amendments to economic provisions," he said.

Rodriguez was referring Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which calls for the creation of a con-con for the purpose of Charter change (Cha-cha).

The resolution, which was passed by the House plenary on second reading Tuesday, Feb. 28, indicates that revisions to the economic provisions of the existing Constitution will be carried out.

"We hope that our delegates will really just stick to economic amendments so that it will not be controversial or divisive. That is what we pray for," added Rodriguez.

Told that it would be hard to trust the con-con delegates to not introduce, say, political amendments, the veteran lawmaker replied that there would even be more distrust if the House members would be left to do the job via constituent assembly (con-ass)

"That is why it doesn't fly, the con-ass because they will say, 'These congressmen and senators are going to protect their interest,' and that is why we want to have a democratic, more inclusive constitutional convention," he explained.

Minutes after the interview, Rodriguez sponsored on the plenary floor House Bill (HB) No.7352, which seeks to implement the con-con proposed in RBH No.6.

Under HB No.7352, a total of 314 delegates will comprise the con-con. Of the number, 251 well be elected, while 63 will be appointed.

Related Tags

amendments economic political con-con Constitution Rufus Rodriguez
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