House OKs reso calling for Con-con to amend 1987 Constitution on third reading

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MANILA, Philippines — Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which calls for a constitutional convention to amend the 1987 Constitution, has been adopted after hurdling the House of Representatives on the third and final reading.

During Monday’s session presided by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, RBH No. 6 was approved with 301 lawmakers voting in its favor. Six lawmakers voted against it, while one abstained.

RBH No. 6 calls for Congress to use a constitutional convention in pursuing charter change, where voters would be asked to elect the delegates. This is one of the three ways to amend the constitution as stated in the 1987 Constitution, aside from constituent assembly, where Congress would sit as the amending body, and People’s Initiative.

Currently, two measures seeking charter change are on the plenary: RBH No. 6 and House Bill (HB) No. 7352.

HB No. 7352 outlines rules and regulations that would be followed in developing the constitutional convention. If passed and enacted, the bill would be the enabling law to RBH No. 6.

RBH No. 6 was passed on second reading last February 28, while HB No. 7352 was brought up in the plenary last March 1.

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READ: Resolution on constitutional convention passes House 2nd reading

The House proposal uses the suggestions from former chief justice Reynato Puno, where Congress would adopt a hybrid constitutional convention where some of the members would be appointed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

Puno said this ensures that political families would not dominate the body.

JMS/abc