​Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. believes that lawmakers should start talks on Charter change (Cha-cha) within the first year of the 20th Congress if they are really keen on amending the 1987 Constitution.

"Palagay ko, kung ang Charter change would happen in the first year of Congress, baka may time pa (I believe, if the process on Charter change would happen in the first year of the Congress, there would still be time to pass it)," Abante said in a press conference on Tuesday, July 15.

Whether it is going to be through a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass) or through a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), that will depend on the Congress, Abante said.

But Abante emphasized that it must be done immediately after both chambers convene the 20th Congress on July 28, otherwise "there would not be enough time".

This, especially if talks would be initiated in the middle of the three-year duration of the 20th Congress.

"Dapat talagang simulan na 'yan. Kaya naman eh. [Kahit] may impeachment, kaya pa naman (We should start it already. It's still possible, although there is also an impeachment trial)," he said.

Abante said he has been supportive of Cha-cha since 1992 when former president Fidel Ramos was still in office.

But unlike some senators and congressmen who only want an economic revisions to the Constitution, Abante is pushing both economic and political amendments.

"Personally, I want even the senators to [be able to] run regionally. Ibig sabihin, katulad sa America (That means, I want it to be like in America)," he said.

Several lawmakers, both from the House and the Senate, have already filed measures seeking to amend the Constitution.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 1, proposing to amend the Charter's provisions on national territory and economy.

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong recently said he was also in favor of Cha-cha, but only if it was economic in nature.

"Palagay ko, karamihan ng congressmen gusto ng Charter change (I believe the majority of the congressmen want Charter change)," Abante said.

Meanwhile, on Monday, July 14, Senator Robin Padilla said he refiled a resolution that sought to revise the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines through a constitutional convention.