Charter change: Con-com approves articles on executive, legislative branches

President Rodrigo Duterte’s Consultative Committee (Con-com) tasked to draft a new Charter has approved the entire articles on the executive and legislative branches of a federal government.

Con-com spokesman Ding Generoso said the committee approved the articles during an en banc session on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Con-com announced that it drafted provisions that would require the President and Vice President to be holders of a college degree.

Candidates for President and Vice President should also run as a ticket, not individually, according to Con-com’s proposal.

The committee also announced earlier that it proposed a mandatory Cabinet position for the Vice President that would not be questioned by the Commission on Appointments.

Legislative branch

Meanwhile, the Con-com also earlier announced that it drafted a proposal that would make the Senate be composed of senators elected by region.

Likewise, members of the House of Representatives would be elected by legislative district, by proportional representation system of registered political parties, and by sectoral representation of socio-economically disadvantage sectors, according to the proposed provisions.

Members of both chambers were also required to have a college degree for them to take office.

There was also a proposed provision that would grant the President the power to declare a state of war if Congress was “unable” to convene. /vvp