Senate includes Cha-cha in priority agenda

The Senate building at the GSIS Complex in Pasay City (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The controversial Charter change (Cha-cha) proposal has been listed as among the priority measures of the Senate when it resumes its sessions on Monday.

The Senate, in a statement on Friday, said the proposed amendments or revision of the 1987 Constitution was included in its priority agenda.

At least three bills proposing amendments to the Constitution had been filed by Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Richard Gordon and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

The three measures would be tackled by the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, chaired by Senator Francis Pangilinan, when it resumes its deliberations on Wednesday, January 17.

Aside from the Cha-cha issue, the Senate said it would also work on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, the proposed Anti-Terrorism Law, the proposed National ID System Act and the proposed Universal Healthcare for All Filipinos Act.

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the Senate will “work harder to improve the quality of life for all.”

Pimentel earlier thanked the public for their high approval ratings to his office and the Senate as a public institution.

Based on the Social Weathers Station (SWS) Fourth Quarter 2017 survey released last December 28, the Senate leader received a “good” net public satisfaction rating of +49, while the chamber remained the most trusted public institution in the country after it received a “very good” +56 net satisfaction rating. /jpv

READ: Pimentel gets record high rating in 2017, says SWS