By Felipe F. Salvosa II
Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares (right), accompanied by the Saturday Forum moderator, ex-senator Francisco Tatad.
Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares on Saturday warned against the revived congressional resolution calling for charter change to shift to a federal system of government, claiming it would give President Rodrigo Duterte vast powers during a transition period.
Colmenares urged his former colleagues to junk cha-cha with less than three years left in Duterte’s term, calling the latest proposal “dangerous and indecent.”
“Maghunus-dili sila (They should consider it carefully). It contains proposals that will give him (Duterte) dictatorial powers,” the ex-Senate hopeful told reporters during the Saturday Forum at Annabel’s restaurant in Quezon City.
Colmenares said he had attended two public hearings on the new draft charter under proposed Resolution of Both Houses 1, filed in July by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. Rodriguez has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Colmenares pointed to transitory provisions under Article XXII. The president will head a Federal Transition Commission, whose 10 members he will appoint.
The commission will craft a transition plan, have the power to issue decrees and proclamations, and exercise “all powers necessary and proper to ensure a smooth, speedy and successful transition.”
Elections will be held in May 2022 and the transition body will end its mandate on June 30, 2022, when the new president, vice president, and members of Congress assume office.
Colmenares said the resolution, which seeks to convene the House and the Senate into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution, would have better chances of passage.
An earlier draft, under Resolution of Both Houses 15 filed by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the previous Congress, passed the House but did not get support in the Senate.
“They control the Senate now,” Colmenares said. (PressONE.ph)