Pangilinan: Will you trust Congress with charter change?

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“Will you trust Congress with charter change?”

Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, a member of the minority bloc and president of the Liberal Party (LP), made the remark in a statement issued on Wednesday in reaction to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who said a no-election scenario was possible.

Pangilinan made the remark in a statement issued on Wednesday after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said a no-election (no-el) scenario was possible.

I an interview with ANC’s “Headstart,” Alvarez said the 2019 midterm elections could be postponed if the proposed shift to a federal form of government succeeds in Congress this year.

Pangilinan cast doubt, however, on the idea of charter change, saying:

“After witnessing the congressional hearings on extra-judicial killings, on Senator [Leila] De Lima’s alleged connection with drug syndicates, on the P6.4 billion BoC [Bureau of Customs] shabu smuggling scandal allegedly involving the Davao group, the impeachment of Chief Justice [Maria Lourdes] Sereno, the approval of the 1-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, the slashing of the CHR budget to P1,000, will you trust Congress with charter change?”

READ: No-el scenario in 2019 possible – Alvarez

Alvarez said Congress migh convene this January to discuss the proposal and hold a referendum in May, coinciding with the planned barangay elections.

If the public, via referendum, agrees with the proposed shift to federalism, the Speaker said it would be better if the term of all incumbent senators would expire in 2022. /atm