MANILA, Philippines—In an impassioned privilege speech in Filipino, Sen. Manuel Roxas II denounced the passage of House Resolution No. 1109 and described the viva voce voting as a form of witchcraft.

HR 1109 calls for the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass) with the House and the Senate voting jointly on amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

The opposition claims the passage of HR 1109 in the House of Representatives could pave the way for Charter change and serve as a “prelude to an Arroyo dictatorship.”

“I call it kaaswangan. I challenge the President to either stand by [HR 1109] or reject it. Where does she stand in this most important, most crucial issue?” said Roxas, a presidential aspirant.

In Filipino folklore, an “aswang” is a vampire-like creature that is said to prey on small children and even the dead. By the senator’s own admission, the myth of aswang was popular in his hometown in Capiz province.

Roxas brought leis of garlic, which he said was the best defense against aswang, to the session hall.

He said he had decided to wear a garlic necklace “to ward off the aswang called constituent assembly or Con-asswang.”

He added that the President should order her allies in the House to stop this “stupidity.”