Three months. That's how much time it took the House of Representatives to complete its mission of approving a bill that would pave the way for their pipe dream of Charter Change (Cha-cha). This bill took the form of House Bill (HB) No.7352, or the proposed Act implementing Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, as amended. On Tuesday, March 14, during plenary session, the lower chamber voted 301-7-0 (yes-no-abstain) in favor of passing the bill on third and final reading. The measure will have been transmitted to the Senate by the time the session was over. House Speaker and Leyte 1st Rep. Martin Romualdez, who presided over the session, announced the passage of HB No.7352 after the voting was completed. Romualdez is among the more vocal proponents of Cha-cha, particularly on proposals to revise the supposed restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. It was last March 6 when RBH No.6 was approved in similar overwhelming fashion by the chamber on third and final. The nominal voting result for RBH No.6 was 301-6-1 (yes-no-abstain). Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, essentially began Cha-cha discussions in this current 19th Congress when he organized his committee last Dec. 14, 2022. The proverbial "Cha-cha train" then took a steady and expedient route toward passage--or at least, that of a measure that would open the door for constitutional revision. The chosen mode was a constitutional convention (con-con), albeit it will be via hybrid set-up: 251 of the con-con delegates will be elected (representing the country’s districts), while 63 will be appointed (representing the sectors), for a total of 314. The election of delegates, who will be tasked to come up with proposed amendments to the existing Charter, will take place on Oct. 30, 2023. The delegates will be "employed" for a period of at least six months. Their proposed revisions will be subject to a plebiscite. Romualdez said relaxing the Charter’s economic provisions would enhance the investment and economic space in the country. “We need more foreign capital to create additional job and income opportunities for our people. Increased investments will sustain our economic growth,” he said. The bill provides that con-con delegates “must be of recognized probity, independence, nationalism, and patriotism", and “with recognized knowledge and competence in the Constitution, and a deep understanding of the State and the principles which underlie its existence, organization, and activities, as well as of government and governance". A delegate must at least be 25 years of age on the day of his election or appointment, must be a college degree holder, a registered voter in his district, and a resident of such district at least one year before the election. The con-con shall submit its report to the President, Congress, and Comelec within 30 days after the completion of the proposed amendments, or on June 30, 2024.