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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Pimentel on continuing Cha-cha hearings: Set Senate rules on constitutional amendment first

Pimentel on continuing Cha-cha hearings: Set Senate rules on constitutional amendment first

Published Mar 2, 2024 10:42 am

At A Glance

  • Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III believes that the Senate should first create an actual rule covering the procedure on constitutional amendments before proceeding with future hearings on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III believes that the Senate should first create an actual rule covering the procedure on constitutional amendments before proceeding with future hearings on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6.

In a radio interview over DWIZ on Saturday, March 2, Pimentel said that he already pointed this out during the first hearing on RBH No.6 by the subcommitee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes chaired by Senator Sonny Angara.

"Iba-ibang sumbrero yung suot ng mga senador (Senators wear different hats), most of the time we are lawmakers, sometimes we are judges sa (in the) impeachment trial and very rare times kami rin ay parang delegado ng taumabayan para mag-isip ng amendment sa (we are also like delegates of the people to think of amendments in the) Constitution," he said.

"So kailangan separate yung rules di naman pwedeng ang rules sa paggawa ng batas yun din ang rules sa pag amyenda ng konstitusyon (So the rules have to be separate we cannot have the same rules in crafting laws and in amending the Constitution)," he added.

During the Senate’s plenary session last Wednesday, Feb. 28, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero cautioned his colleagues against proceeding with future hearings on RBH No. 6 sans any clear set of guidelines stipulated in the Senate rules.

Under the House Rule XXI Section 143 in the House of Representatives, it is stated that “The Congress, upon a vote of three fourths (3/4) of all its Members, may propose amendment(s) to or revision of the Constitution.”

On the other hand, Section 144 prescribes that “Proposals to amend or revise the Constitution shall be by resolution which may be filed at any time by any Member. The adoption of resolutions proposing amendments to or revision of the Constitution shall follow the procedure for the enactment of bills.”

According to Escudero, there is a need to revisit the Rules of the Senate to craft provisions parallel to it before pushing through with another scheduled hearing of the Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.

Escudero also said that another thing the Senate must resolve is Senator Risa Hontiveros’ “prejudicial question” in the sub-committee’s previous hearing pertaining to doing a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) by separate sessions of the House and the Senate or through a joint session by both Houses.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed RBH No.6, proposing amendments to Articles XII, XIV, and XVI of the 1987 Constitution pertaining to public services, education, and advertising.

Angara said the next hearing would be held on March 5, 2024.

Pimentel said that the Senate only has rules on impeachment and creating laws.

Related Tags

Charter change 1987 Constitution Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Constitutional amendments Senator Sonny Angara
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