MANILA, Philippines — Senators should convene a caucus to discuss how to move forward on a move to amend the 1987 Constitution, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Thursday.
Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate panel on constitutional amendments and revision of codes and laws, said the Senate resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitutions should be discussed in an all-senators’ caucus where a consensus could be reached.
“Katulad ng mga ginawa natin noong nakaraang Kongreso, pinakamaiging pag-usapan ito sa all-senators’ caucus at sana magkaroon ng consensus kung ano ang direksyon,” he said.
(As was our approach in the previous Congress, it would be best if the matter is tackled and discussed first in an all senators’ caucus wherein a consensus as to how to move forward hopefully can be reached.)
Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino filed their Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2 calling for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).
Pangilinan raised concerns about the timing of the resolution, noting that the focus of the government should be on managing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Kasama sa pag-uusapan sa caucus ay ang timing ng Charter amendments, lalo na at hindi pa rin nasusugpo ang Covid at dapa pa rin ang ekonomiya natin,” he said.
(Among the issues that can be discussed in the caucus would be the timing of charter amendments considering that we are facing a pandemic and the economy has yet to recover.)
“Ngayon ba ang tamang panahon para pag-usapan ito? In addition is the matter of Congress voting jointly or separately in proposing Charter amendments,” he added.
(Is now the right time to talk about it? In addition is the matter of Congress voting jointly or separately in proposing Charter amendments.)
Pangilinan said he would let the Senate leadership decide whether to convene an all-senators’ caucus.
He would also wait on what will happen in the caucus before he would decide to conduct public consultations on Charter change.
“Depende sa resulta ng mapag-usapan sa caucus. Pakikinggan muna natin ang mga sentimiento ng mga kapwa senador,” he said.
(It would depend on the discussions during the caucus. Let’s hear out the sentiments of our fellow senators).