Former Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. talks about federal system of government in a forum in Quezon City.
INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA
Former Sen. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. on Thursday urged the consultative committee reviewing the 1987 Constitution to hold open and public hearings covered by the media to ensure that the people would be informed of the efforts to review the Charter.
Pimentel, a member of the committee and longtime advocate of federalism, said that consultative meetings should not be held in secrecy, especially that there are contentious provisions that may arise during the deliberations.
“My own view is that our discussion should be open and transparent and covered by media. Kailangan po ‘yun sa tingin ko (I think we need that),” Pimentel told reporters at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
“Definitely, I have not told them about it but that is my espousal, that all our deliberations… there should be no secret deliberations. Bakit kailangang sikreto? (Why secret?) We are a free country and therefore the freedom of speech and of the press must already be exercised by the people now,” he added.
The 19-member panel held its first meeting on Thursday to tackle the work flow and timeline for the review. The meeting was not open to the media and tight security was implemented at the PICC.
The veteran lawmaker said they aim to finish the study in six months so it would be included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.
READ: Duterte names 19 Charter reviewers
The members of the panel were appointed by Duterte late January, more than a year the body was created through an executive order.
The committee, which has yet to include six more members, is tasked to “study, conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution including but not limited to the provisions on the structure and powers of the government, local governance, and economic policies.”
The panel is headed by former Chief Justice Renato Puno with several legal luminaries and political experts as members.
While leaving the discretion to the President who to further include in the committee, Pimentel said the team should include more women and representatives from the marginalized sectors.
The group only has one female member, lawyer Susan Ubalde-Ordinario. /je