Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has likened to a “junta” the Transition Commission under the proposed federal Constitution.
Under the federal Constitution drafted by the Consultative Committee, a Federal Transition Commission will be created to ensure an orderly transition to the new system.
The Commission will be headed by the President, who will have the power to appoint 10 members. It should complete its mandate by June 30, 2022.
READ: LOOK: The proposed federal Constitution drafted by Duterte’s Con-com
“Yung transition committee is para siyang junta kasi appointed by the President (The transition committee is like a junta because [its members] are appointed by the President). It has executive, legislative and judicial powers,” Pangilinan said at a weekly Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.
The senator chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, which is deliberating on Charter change proposals.
Pending the final structure, Pangilinan said, the Commission will have the power to reorganize, hire, fire and settle all disputes about the federal government.
“Ni hindi natin kilala kung sino pa yan pero sa kanila ibibigay yung detalyadong pagbabalangkas nung struktura,” he said.
(We don’t even know them [the members) yet but the detailed plan of the structure would be given to them )
“Sige, federalism tayo pero bahala na si Batman. Ganun ba ang dapat mangyari sa bansa natin?” the senator asked.
(Ok federalism but it would be up to Batman. Is that what we want to happen to our country?)
“Ganun ba ang masinop at responsableng pamumuno at pamamahala na isang transition committee na lamang ang syang bibigyan natin ng kapangyarihan na hind natin kilala kung sino ito at hindi natin alam ang kaliwanagan ng magiging struktura na yan,” Pangilinan further said.
The senator vowed to scrutinize the draft federal Constitution.
He explained that the draft Charter is just a proposal and could be set aside by Congress, which has the power to propose any amendments to the Constitution. /vvp