Drilon on cha-cha train: It will get derailed

FILE: Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned on Friday that the House of Representatives’ Charter change (Cha-cha) train would get derailed even before it leaves the station. (PNA photo)

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon warned on Friday that the House of Representatives’ Charter change (Cha-cha) train would get derailed even before it leaves the station.

Drilon issued the statement after House leaders insisted that nothing would stop the House Cha-cha express train launched by congressmen led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez even without the senators on board.

On Tuesday, the House adopted Concurrent Resolution No. 9 that seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) to propose amendments to the Constitution.

The House is also pushing for a joint voting of Congress, which the Senate is strongly against to.

“The House Cha-cha train will get derailed even before it leaves the station—the Filipino people will see the real plan in federalism: suspend elections, extend the terms of  members of Congress, and do away with the check and balance system by abolishing the Senate,” Drilon said in a statement.

Alvarez had urged the public not to vote for senators who are opposing federalism as it shows that they are against development that could be obtained from the new form of government.

Sought for a comment about Alvarez’ statement, the Minority Leader said, “The issue at this point is the brazen move of the House to impose and railroad Cha-cha without public debate and participation.”

“But having said that, the senators are willing to face the people on their stand on federalism,” he added.

Lawmakers will decide whether the proposed Constitutional amendment should be through Constitutional convention (Con-con), where amendments would be proposed by representatives voted by the people, or through a Con-ass to be composed of incumbent legislators.

After concurring the mode of Cha-cha and consequently proposing amendments, a referendum by the public would be held to approve these changes.