Drilon wants Charter review through Con-Con

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Senate President Franklin Drilon is seeking a review of the 1987 Constitution through a Constitutional Convention.

Drilon said on Sunday that reviewing the Constitution is essential to see “if it is still attuned or responsive to the demands of present-day realities.”

The Resolution of Both Houses (RHB) No. 1 calls for a Constitutional Convention whose members will be elected on the second day of May next year to propose amendments to or a revision of the existing Charter.

READ: Should we amend the Constitution?

“The common good would be best served if the review of, and proposals to amend or revise, the Constitution would be made through and by a Constitutional Convention whose delegates are to be elected by the people for such purpose,” Drilon said.

The Senate President proposed that no member of Congress at the time of the adoption of the resolution, as well as those who filed a certificate of candidacy for the recently concluded May 9 general elections, shall be allowed to become a delegate to the convention.

Those seeking to become a delegate to the convention “shall represent or allow himself to be represented as being a candidate of any political party or any other organization.” The President, Vice President, members of Congress and heads of departments are also not allowed to intervene in the nomination of any candidate.

According to the resolution, the Convention shall meet on the first working day of September next year.

Article XVII, Section 3 of the Constitution provides that Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, call for a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments to, or a revision of, the Constitution.

Each house should vote separately for the approval of the resolution.

In an earlier interview, Drilon said that there is an “emerging consensus” among senators to review the Constitution.

READ: Drilon: There is emerging consensus in Senate to review, amend Constitution

“I think we can see an emerging consensus in the Senate that we need to review our Constitution, amend the Constitution,” Drilon said.

In the House of Representatives, outgoing Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. filed his RHB No. 2 to amend the 1987 Constitution to lift the long-standing limits on foreign ownership of land, natural resources, schools, media and public utilities. RAM/rga