Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
鈥淓verything is in order鈥� following the Senate plenary鈥檚 referral of the House of Representatives鈥� concurrent resolution on charter change (Cha-cha) to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.
鈥淲e have done the proper referral so nasa committee na,鈥� Senate President Aquilino 鈥淜oko鈥� Pimentel III told reporters on Monday.
Asked if the Senate would also make its own resolution on Cha-cha, he answered: 鈥淧ossible outcome na 鈥檡un in a form of a committee report.鈥�
鈥淧ero hintayin na muna natin. Kare-refer lang po ngayong hapon sa proper committee. So everything鈥檚 in order now,鈥� he added. 鈥淓verything is normal. Everything follows the procedure. Tama ito.鈥�
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 鈥淜iko鈥� Pangilinan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, told him that his panel would probably finish their report by February.
鈥淪abi naman ni Senator Pangilinan they would proceed in good faith, in full transparency and in a reasonable pace and I鈥檓 happy with that kind of commitment,鈥� Pimentel said. /atm