Duterte names 19 members of body to review 1987 Constitution

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 19 of the 25 members of the Consultative Committee that will review the country’s 1987 Constitution.

Malacanang released on Thursday their appointment papers which President Duterte signed on January 23.

President Duterte has designated former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno as chairman of the consultative body.

Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

, father of incumbent Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, has been appointed as member.

Other members include: Victor De La Serna, Ranhilio Callangan Aquino, Virgilio Castillo Bautista, Rodolfo Dia Robles, Antonio Eduardo Nachura, Julio Cabral Teehankee, Bienvenido Reyes, Eddie Mapag Alih, Edmund Soriano Tayao, Ali Pangalian Balindong, Laurence Wacnang, Roan Libarios, Reuben Rabe Canoy, Arthur Aguilar, Susan Ubalde-Ordinario, Antonio Binas Arellano and Randolp Climaco Parcasio.

On December 7, 2016, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10, creating a 25-member consultative body tasked to review the 1987 Constitution.

The committee will “study, conduct consultations, and review the provisions of the 1987 Constitution including but not limited to the provisions on the structure and powers of the government, local governance, and economic policies.

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The revision of the 1987 Constitution and the shift from a unitary to a federal form of government are among the top priorities of the Duterte administration.