Congress to prioritize creation of con-con – Alvarez

MANILA, Philippines – The 17th Congress will prioritize the formation of a constitutional convention that would be tasked to amend the Charter and pave the way for a change in the form of government, incoming speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said yesterday.

Speaking to PDP-Laban partymates in the House of Representatives, Alvarez said the creation of a constitutional convention is an advocacy of President Duterte.

“Since the campaign, he has been saying he wants the system of government changed – from a unitary, highly centralized form of government to a federal form of government where there is real autonomy, and the regions will constitute the federal government,” he said.

While admitting that the task of forming a con-con would not be easy, it’s something lawmakers cannot hold off or set aside as the current Constitution is no longer responsive to the needs of the people.

Alvarez said that it would be easier to just amend the Constitution by way of Congress transforming itself into a constituent assembly. However, he said the President prefers a con-con to dispel any suspicion that Malacañang would eventually intervene in the issue.

Alvarez said there is also a need to lay down strict qualifications for the delegates to the convention. He said the delegates comprising the convention would be both elected and appointed.

“There is nothing in our Constitution that says delegates to a constitutional convention should be elected or appointed. So my proposal is to have both elected and appointed delegates,” he added. But he stressed delegates should be carefully picked to make sure they have the proper qualifications and credentials.