House resolution on Cha-cha has been referred to proper Senate committee

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“Everything is in order” following the Senate plenary’s referral of the House of Representatives’ concurrent resolution on charter change (Cha-cha) to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.

“We have done the proper referral so nasa committee na,” Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III told reporters on Monday.

Asked if the Senate would also make its own resolution on Cha-cha, he answered: “Possible outcome na ’yun in a form of a committee report.”

“Pero hintayin na muna natin. Kare-refer lang po ngayong hapon sa proper committee. So everything’s in order now,” he added. “Everything is normal. Everything follows the procedure. Tama ito.”

The House adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution.

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.

Pimentel said Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, told him that his panel would probably finish their report by February.

“Sabi naman ni Senator Pangilinan they would proceed in good faith, in full transparency and in a reasonable pace and I’m happy with that kind of commitment,” Pimentel said. /atm