Lacson wants any senator attending House con-ass expelled

Senator Panfilo Lacson  wants  any senator who would attend the House of Representatives’ proposed constituent assembly (con-Ass) to be expelled  from the Senate,  Minority Leader Franklin Drilon disclosed on Wednesday.

Drilon said Lacson made the  proposal during  the senators’ caucus Tuesday.

“There was a proposal yesterday by Senator Lacson to expel whoever that member is, there was no dissent. The point is that it manifests the sentiment, strong sentiments of the senators in so far as voting separately or jointly,” the Minority Leader said in an interview on the sidelines of the Senate joint committee hearing on the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha).

Lacson  confirmed  making such  a proposal.

“I did suggest that yesterday after we all agreed to close ranks as one body. Nobody objected,” he said in a text message.

“Anyway, as of yesterday, wala namang may plano. I was just concerned that in case of that remote possibility na meron in the future, he or she cannot escape a misdeed that borders on treachery to our senate as an institution. We can use our mechanism in the ethics committee to execute my proposal,” he added.

Drilon  said the minority senators would decide whether to support the expulsion once the motion has been made.

He refused to say, however, if  he knew  of any senator who had expressed interest in supporting the Con-Ass being pushed by the lower chamber.

In amending the Constitution, lawmakers could either opt for a constitutional convention (Con-Con) where members of the body would be voted by the people, or legislators would convene in a con-ass to revise the 1987 Constitution. /cbb