Deputy Speaker Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Ronaldo "Ronnie" Puno has led fellow National Unity Party (NUP) solons in filing a measure seeking to convene a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) to propose amendments to and modernize the 1987 Constitution.

Filed for this purpose by Puno and his party-mates Tuesday, Nov. 11 was House Bill (HB) No.5870, which affirmed that constitutional reform must be pursued transparently and free from partisan manipulation.

“For nearly four decades, the 1987 Constitution has anchored our democracy. But experience has shown that ambiguities, procedural lapses, and outdated provisions have created confusion and weakened institutional accountability,” read the explanatory note of HB No.5870

“This measure seeks to fulfill—not discard—the 1987 Constitution: to correct its errors, complete its intent, and reinforce its authority with clarity and coherence,” it added.

According to Puno, the ConCon offers the most prudent, participatory, and legitimate mechanism for reform. “It invites the nation to confront enduring constitutional ambiguities through reasoned debate, anchored in the rule of law and the people’s voice,” he said.

Under the proposal, 150 delegates will be elected on May 11, 2026, with representation drawn from all 18 administrative regions including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Each region will elect three base delegates, with additional delegates apportioned according to population, ensuring balanced and inclusive representation. There will be no appointive delegates, unlike in previous conventions, to further insulate it from political influence.

The measure specifies that delegates must be natural-born citizens, at least 25 years old, holders of college degrees, and independent from political office, with a one-year ban on seeking any public post after the Convention adjourns. This framework seeks to shield the ConCon from political capture and guarantee that its members deliberate solely on the merits of reform.

The bill mandates that the ConCon be convened no later than July 15, 2026, and complete its work within one year, unless extended by law. Any proposed amendments or revisions will be submitted to a plebiscite within 60 to 90 days after approval, in accordance with Article XVII of the Constitution.

The explanatory note further noted that reform must focus on clarifying textual inconsistencies in the nearly 40-year-old Charter.

These include provisions involving impeachment proceedings, amnesty grants, tax exemptions, and the composition of the Judicial and Bar Council that have caused institutional uncertainty and legal conflict.

“A Constitution that lacks textual precision ceases to serve as a reliable guide for government action. This initiative is a commitment to a living Constitution—one that evolves with the times while preserving constitutional fidelity and the rule of law,” the bill further read.

The authors stressed that this initiative does not aim to rewrite history or disrupt governance, but to strengthen the legal foundation of democracy and ensure that reforms proceed within constitutional, participatory, and transparent bounds.

“The [NUP] is fully supportive of efforts to correct ambiguities in the text of the Constitution as a means of further strengthening our democracy. This process must be participatory and insulated from political influence. It must be rooted in consultation, scholarship, and the people's collective will," the party said.

HB No. 5870 awaits consideration by the appropriate House committee.

The NUP has 43 members in the House of Representatives, making it the second largest political party in the chamber next only to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)