Recto: Puno should 'crowdsource' wisdom of Filipinos in studying Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines — The consultative panel formed by President Rodrigo Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution should listen to the diverse opinions of different individuals on how to improve the country's basic law, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said on Friday.

Recto said that the body, headed by former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, should "crowdsource" the wisdom of Filipinos and digest it into compact recommendations that could be acted on.

"Although they are competent to speak on Charter change, the mandate of the appointees, however, is to listen to the diverse opinions on how to improve the basic law," Recto said.

"On this, they are expected to crowdsource the wisdom of the people and digest them into a compact piece of recommendations for the sovereign, and their officials, to act on," the senator added.

Recto said that the consultative committee, which he described as a "league of extraordinary gentlemen," should meet expectations and produce an "extraordinary output."

He also lauded the president for forming the body, saying that its members could not be tempted to propose amendments tailored to their personal interests.

On Thursday, Malacañang released the appointment papers of the 19 individuals who would form the committee.

Aside from Puno, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr., the father of current Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and an advocate of federalism, was also named to the panel.

The other members of the committee are top magistrates, lawyers, professors and former officials of government, and their appointment came more than a year after Duterte signed Executive Order 10 creating a 25-member body that would study and review the Constitution.

Efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution have gained steam at the Senate and the House which are both dominated by Duterte's allies.

However, the two chambers are at an impasse on the mode and manner of voting that they should have, with the Senate insisting on separate voting and the House campaigning for joint casting of votes.

The modification of the Constitution which will pave the way for a shift to a federal form of government is one of the key promises of then-candidate Duterte, saying that this is needed to address the unequal development of the country's regions.

According to Recto, the consultations to be conducted by the Puno panel would enrich healthy discussions on the country's basic law.

"The consultations to be conducted by CJ Puno, SP Nene Pimentel and company will further enrich healthy discussions on the nation’s most important document, including the ones to be conducted by the Senate, which, I understand, will not cease on account of the presidential initiative" Recto said.

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