Alvarez should talk to Senate leaders about Cha-cha — Lacson

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

It is high time that House of Representatives leaders discuss Charter change (Cha-cha) with Senate leaders because the upper chamber was already firm on its stand, Senator Panfilo Lacson reiterated on Sunday.

When asked in an interview over radio dzBB if Senate President Aquilino Pimentel and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez should start discussing the mode of amending the 1987 Constitution, Lacson answered: “Dapat talagang mag-usap silang dalawa.”

“Isama na yung 2 majority leaders, kung pwede parehong 2 minority leaders,” he added.

But Lacson warned that if Alvarez would insist on the House’ position that the Congress should vote jointly as a constituent assembly (con-ass) to amend the Charter, the Senate would surely oppose it.

“Pero kung titigasan nila Speaker Alvarez, na pag di kayo (Senate) sumama itutuloy namin ito (con-ass voting jointly), e talagang di sigurado,” he said.

“Talagang pader na kami ngayon pagdating sa ganung isyu,” he added.

Last Tuesday, the House adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a con-ass. The lower chamber is also pushing for a joint voting of the Congress, which the Senate is strongly opposing.

Lawmakers have yet to decide on whether the proposed Constitutional amendment should be through a Constitutional convention (Con-con), where changes would be proposed by representatives elected by the people, or through a Con-ass to be composed of sitting legislators.

After agreeing on the mode of Cha-cha and consequently proposing amendments, a referendum by the Filipino people would be held to approve or reject these changes. /cbb