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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider These 2 militant lawyers would be good to have in con-con, says Rodriguez

These 2 militant lawyers would be good to have in con-con, says Rodriguez

Published Mar 7, 2023 09:34 am

Lawyers Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna Party-list would be good additions to the constitutional convention (con-con).

Ex-Bayan Muna Party-list Reps. Neri Colmenares (left) and Carlos Zarate (Facebook)

Thus, said no less than Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, practically the prime mover of the Charter change (Cha-cha) efforts in the House of Representatives this 19th Congress.

Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, who calls for the formation of a con-con for the purpose of introducing amendments to the 1987 Constitution, was approved on third and final reading on Monday night, March 6.

The proposed hybrid con-con will be made up of 251 elected delegates and 63 appointed delegates, for a grand total of 314.

Earlier, Rodriguez, in one of the public hearings of the House Community on Constitutional Amendments discussing Cha-cha, said that lawyers must be represented in the con-con. And he had two specific lawyers in particular---Colmenares and Zarate.

"That is why I'm going to move also...that we add two from the lawyers' sector. Because the economy sector is already here. Two from the lawyers. Because aside from the justices, we need lawyers,," said Rodriguez, chairman of the committee.

"Real lawyers, for example, Neri Colmenares, former congressman Caloy Zarate. Goodness, they will be good in this convention," the Mindanao solon and House supermajority member reckoned.

Colmenares and Zarate are two former longtime congressmen under Bayan Muna, which is part of the Makabayan bloc. Known as administration critics, the militant bloc traditionally aligns itself with the minority in the House.

Colmenares had been invited to constitutional amendments panel hearings last month as a resource person.

"They will not be representing IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines). When you say IBP. They will be the ones deciding, and they will be the ones deciding, and they will decide the President to be the one sitting," Rodriguez further said of his proposal.

Related Tags

Neri Colmenares con-con Charter change Rufus Rodriguez carlos zarate Cha-cha
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