Senate President Tito Sotto said Charter Change is not the priority of the Senate
Members of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments acted swiftly in passing a resolution that aimed to scrap foreign ownership restrictions in the economic provision of the 1987 Constitution.
They also adjusted the term of office of senators, congressmen and local officials to five years with two reelections.
As well as the election of senators by region and the voting of the president and vice president as one ticket.
But senators aren’t as enthusiastic as their house counterparts in amending the constitution.
“Wala kaming kinalaman doon. Wala kaming kinalaman dahil it is not a priority in the Senate. It’s not in any of the committees. There is resolution filed. We are not even talking about it, so the House can do whatever it wants, and perhaps if they decide on something, then they can transmit it to us,” Senate President Vicente Sotto III said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the resolution once transmitted should also include a return address because the Senate and the people will not accept it.
He likened the congressmen’s determination to push for Charter Change to the “fighting spirit” of a Filipino athlete but despite this Drilon asserted that Cha-Cha is “doomed”.
Fellow opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros agreed.
“That will also be sent here as arrive dead in the water dito sa Senate. Kung patapos na yung admin Duterte, kaduda-duda yung timing…yung Con-Ass ang pinaka-impervious sa citizen’s participation, siya yung pinaka-hindi demokratikong paraan kumpara sa iba kung babaguhin ang ating konstititusyon,” Hontiveros said.
Administration Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa for his part said he will only support Charter change if the resolution pushes for a shift to federalism. He also hit lawmakers’ who attempts to extend their term.
The unnumbered resolution is set to be presented to the House plenary by Constitutional Amendments Committee Chairman Rufus Rodriguez when session resumes middle of January next year. (Jasper Camilo)