Talks on Cha-cha ‘might not be the best thing to do’ for now, says Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Discussing Charter change (Cha-cha) “might not be the best thing to do” for now, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday, joining critics who have hit the timing of the latest push for amendments to the Constitution.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body is currently busy with the upcoming 2022 elections and with the Palawan plebiscite on March 13 this year, which will allow local voters to decide on splitting Palawan into three provinces.

“We are busy with the Palawan plebiscite as an exercise to help us define the procedure that will be followed for the 2022 elections, and talking about Charter change at this stage, especially with it being so speculative, for now might not be the best thing to do,” he said over ABS-CBN News Channel.

In January, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also said that the plebiscite for economic amendments to the Constitution may be held along with the 2022 elections to dispel doubts about term extension for lawmakers in conducting Cha-cha.

“Of course you expect them to give the timetable that will suit their timetable, right? But in terms of preparing the elections themselves, as far as the Comelec is concerned, we are not gonna move on that unless there is an actual proposal on the table for Charter change,” Jimenez said regarding the idea on holding the plebiscite along with the national elections.

He added: “If there is no actual proposal for Charter change on the table, then it would be moot I think to be bending ourselves into pretzels to accommodate a timetable that does not exist.”

He noted that there are also preparations that should be made before the plebiscite day itself.

“Right now, we really do have our hands full preparing for the elections, without the added burden of considering a plebiscite. Because with a plebiscite, you are not just talking about plebiscite day. You are talking about the information campaign period before the plebiscite day. You are talking about getting people informed about the proposals being voted on,” he explained.

The House of Representatives resumed debates on Cha-cha on January 13 amid criticisms on its timing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

House committee on constitutional amendments chairman Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. earlier said the panel will only tackle “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. He said amendments to political provisions will not be entertained as it does not have the support of the House majority.

JE