Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (Rep. Salceda's office)

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda has claimed that a constitutional crisis amid the quest for Charter change (Cha-cha) is far-fetched, despite the fear of some of his fellow lawmakers. 

"There is no existential threat of a constitutional crisis," Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said in a statement Monday, Jan. 15. 

"Both the People’s Initiative (PI) underway and previous attempts by the House to establish a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) to amend the constitution are fully in accord with the process stipulated in the 1987 Constitution," he said. 

"The regular workings of the legislature, and the relationship between the Senate and the House, should thus continue without interruption," added the Bicolano. 

Earlier Monday, Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri announced the filing of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which effectively espouses a Con-Ass for the purpose of constitutional revision. 

Running alongside this is a signature campaign for a PI, a public endeavor that was arguably thrust in the national spotlight by the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Albay Chapter early this month. 

On top of these was an effort from the House of Representatives in March 2023 to establish a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) for Cha-cha. 

This means that in the current 19th Congress, all three modes of constitutional revision--Con-Ass, PI, and Con-Con--are in play. 

"I welcome any effort by the Senate to open up discussions on constitutional reform. Opening up the conversation, rather than immediately closing the window for change, is necessary and urgent," Salceda said. 

Of the two legislative chambers, it is the Senate that has rarely made any progressive moves toward amending the existing Charter. 

"The [chairman] of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments has already expressed his intent to tackle [Cha-cha]. Various senators have also expressed support or openness to constitutional reforms, in one form or another. We welcome these developments," Salceda said. 

Despite these developments, the ranking solon said the House remains resolute to pursue the needed revisions to the Constitution. 

"With or without the success of the [PI], the House, for its part will also exhaust all means made available by the Constitution to bring in more investments, create new and better-paying jobs, and create new business and trade opportunities for our people. These things cannot wait," Salceda said.