Suarez doubts passage of Arroyo’s draft charter in 17th Congress

By: Pathricia Ann V. Roxas - 6 years ago

House Minority Leader Rep. Danilo Suarez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO / PATHRICIA ROXAS

Even House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez doubts that the proposed draft federal charter of the chamber will flourish in the 17th Congress.

“Frankly, I think amending the Constitution now will take a gargantuan effort for both houses,” Suarez told reporters at a briefing.

“With this limited time of 17th Congress, baka hindi matapos. Baka sa 18th Congress na ito,” he added.

But the Arroyo ally said the minority bloc would support it if the House leadership appeals to fast-track the highly-criticized draft charter.

“If there will be an appeal from the leadership to fast track it, then the minority will support it,” Suarez said.

Opposition lawmaker Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman earlier said the draft federal Charter would not succeed, noting that even the administration’s economic managers have “fatally torpedoed” the federal system while Malacañang also has not recently pushed for it.

READ: ‘Flawed, errant’ draft federal Charter of House won’t succeed, says Lagman

The draft proposes a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government.

Under the draft, the President and Vice President will have a four-year term subject to one re-election.

It also lifts the term limits for all elected positions except for the President and Vice President, removes the Vice President as President Rodrigo Duterte’s successor during the transition period, and lacks provision regulating political dynasties and turncoatism. /je