Charter change via con-con a ‘disservice’ to Filipinos, says Enrile

ENRILE ATTENDS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HEARING: Former Senate President and Chief Presidential Legal Adviser Juan Ponce Enrile lends his expert opinion on Constitutional changes during the public hearing on a proposal to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution. Senate PRIB / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Constitutional reform through establishing a constitutional convention (con-con), instead of a constituent assembly (con-ass), would be a “disservice” to the Filipino people, said chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, who made clear that his views were his alone and not those of the President, voiced his stance on his preferred mode to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution during a meeting with the Senate panels on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, electoral reforms, and people’s participation, and finance on Wednesday.

“Let it be done by Congress itself, not as a legislative body but as a constituent assembly. There’s nothing esoteric or unusual in these amendments,” he said.

Enrile is pushing for constitutional revisions to ease economic restrictions and lift the ban on nuclear weapons in the country.

READ: Enrile wants to overturn 1987 Constitution nuclear weapons ban

Charter change is seen to have far-reaching effects on the country’s development, improving economic growth and strengthening its regional security posture. *Policymakers and experts are now wondering what the possible benefits and hazards of such shifts would be.

Enrile argued that these constitutional changes should be pushed through a con-ass since a con-con would require a heftier budget for “work that Congress can simply do.”

“To do a con-con, instead of a con-ass, would be a disservice to the people of this country. It will burden the taxpayers too much,” he stressed.

Based on the National Economic Development Authority’s (Neda) initial computation, the cost of holding a constitutional convention (con-con) is at least P10 billion more expensive than the cost of amending or revising the Constitution through a con-ass.

Neda estimated that the cost of the constitutional convention would be around P28 billion initially. However, the House of Representatives approved a newer version of the resolution, suggesting that the cost may be reduced to P14 billion.

It also noted that only P331 million would be needed for con-con if done simultaneously with the national or barangay elections.

Con-ass, on the other hand, will only need a budget of around P30 million.

Senator Robin Padilla, who presided over the meeting, seeks to loosen the economic grips in the 1987 Constitution via con-ass.

This, however, clashes with the mode sought by the House in its approved bill, which calls for Charter change through con-con.

The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, headed by Padilla, wrapped up its deliberations on the push for Charter change last week.

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JPV/abc