Monsod: Some senators may be part of 73% who don’t know the Constitution

Atty. Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution (INQUIRER photo)

MANILA, Philippines — One of the framers of the 1987 Constitution thinks it is possible that some senators fall into the alarming statistic that 73 percent of Filipinos have little to no familiarity with the charter.

Atty. Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the Constitution said the prolonged discussions and procedural impasses, specifically on the interpretation of the term “forthwith” show an apparent lack of constitutional literacy.

“Well, maybe it’s true, right? Because the survey says 73 percent of the people haven’t read or know very little about the Constitution. So, they’re probably part of that 73 percent,” Monsod said in an interview with INQToday.

“May God have mercy on us,” he quipped.

Recently, the Senate has convened as an impeachment court with the senators acting as judges.

But just as soon as it did, the Senate remanded the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, citing constitutional infirmities.

The ongoing discussion on whether or not the impeachment can cross over from the 19th to the 20th Congress further highlighted the need to have deeper understanding of the charter’s provisions.

Monsod said the impeachment trial can cross to the next Congress despite challenges.

However, he also said the issue might also be raised to the Supreme Court.

“In other words, they want to kill the impeachment. The Constitution is very clear. But you know, they ignore the Constitution,” he said.

Under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, the Senate should convene as an impeachment court and proceed with the trial.

However, instead of proceeding with the trial, it remanded the Articles of Impeachment to the House of Representatives to address “constitutional infirmities.”

Monsod said the Constitution does not provide such powers to the Senate.

He said such action suggests a deliberate attempt to circumvent constitutional intent by those who do not fully grasp its principles./apl/mr