House already in the process of amending Charter: Alvarez

FILE: House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (PPD/Toto Lozano)

MANILA — Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday said the House of Representatives will continue its constitutional work to propose Charter changes even without the Senate, noting that the Constitution does not expressly call for a body called a constituent assembly.

In a press conference, Alvarez said that the House is in fact already in the process of amending the Constitution.

“Hindi kami mag-aantay (We won’t wait [for the Senate’s action]). Tuloy- tuloy na ang public hearings namin (Our public hearings would be held continuously). Nag-umpisa na kami (We’ve already started) … gagawa kami ng (we will craft a) proposal to the people to revise the Constitution,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez reiterated his position that the 1987 Constitution is clear on voting jointly to propose amendments or revisions to the Charter.

Article XVII, Section 1 of the Constitution states: “Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by (1) The Congress, upon the vote of three-fourths of all its Members.

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Alvarez, in a television interview, said the House and the Senate could conduct their session separately and vote separately on ordinary legislation.

However, Alvarez said proposing amendments to the Charter did not require separate voting.

“Naglagay lang iyong Saligang Batas ng required number of votes, (The Constitution only stated the required number of votes),” Alvarez pointed out.

According to Alvarez, as long as the required three-fourth vote of Congress is met — based on the combined number of the Senate and the House — proposed Charter amendments may be considered and adopted even without the participation of the Upper Chamber.

Disagreement over this procedure may be brought before the Supreme Court for resolution, according to Alvarez. (PNA)