Congress may be convened into Con-ass on July 23 if…

It is not a remote possibility that Congress may be convened into a constituent assembly (Con-ass) during the President’s state of the nation address (Sona) on July 23.

But this is possible only if the Senate and the House of Representative would pass separate resolutions constituting Congress as a con-ass, Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia said on Tuesday.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier warned that senators might walk out of a joint session of Congress next Monday if Sona would be used to convene a con-ass.

READ: Zubiri warns of ‘mess’ at Sona if Con-Ass convened

Asked in an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM if there was such a plan, Garcia said: “Depende na po yun kasi at 10 in the morning, magkakaroon ng session yung House of Representatives, pati rin yung Senate (It depends because at 10 a.m. the House of Representatives and the Senate will have sessions).”

She said both chambers are expected to pass a resolution convening a joint session of Congress to listen to the President’s annual Sona later in the day.

But Garcia said a motion to convene Congress as a constituent assembly could be made on the floor during the morning sessions.

Asked then about Zubiri’s warning of the possible convening of Con-ass during the Sona, Garcia said: “That remains to be seen.”

“But traditionally, traditionally po we only convene in a joint session on that particular 4th Monday of July, nasa Constitution po yun, in order to listen to the President’s Sona,” she stressed.

The House has already approved a resolution calling for a con-ass while Cha-cha proposals are still being deliberated in the Senate. /ee

READ: House votes to convene Con-ass