Lacson to file resolution to convert Senate into Con-ass

Amid the impasse on how Congress should vote on any amendments to the 1987 Constitution, Senator Panfilo Lacson said he would file next week a resolution that would allow the Senate to convene itself into a Constituent assembly (Con-ass).

“Ang iniisip ko naman magpa-file din ako ng Senate resolution to constitute ourselves, the Senate, into a Constituent Assembly… and wait for the lower house to do the same, if they wish,” Lacson said during the regular “Kapihan sa Senado” on Thursday.

Lacson explained that under the resolution, the Senate sitting as a Con-ass will propose and vote on any amendments to the Constitution by a three-fourths vote.

After voting on the amendments, he said, the upper chamber will sit down and tackle the proposal with its counterpart, the House of Representatives, to reconcile their disagreeing proposals.

Lacson said both chambers should vote separately on any amendments to the 1987 Constitution before presenting it to the people via a plebiscite.

“I hope majority of my colleagues will support the resolution that I intend to file next week,” he said.

Lacson said the Senate decision —whether to adopt it or not— could be used as a basis to bring the issue before the Supreme Court.  /kga