House, Senate urged to dialogue on Con-ass

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Sunday urged members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to hold an inter-chamber dialogue to resolve their conflict on the mode of amending the 1987 Constitution. In a text message to reporters, presidential political affairs adviser Gabriel Claudio said both chambers should settle the differences on their positions on whether the Congress should vote jointly or separately in a constituent assembly (Con-ass). “It’s high time the leaders of the House and Senate had an earnest dialogue where they can unequivocally explain to each other their respective positions and intentions on Charter change,” Claudio said. Claudio’s statement came after all 23 senators signed a resolution declaring a House-only constituent assembly “unconstitutional.” The Senate said any attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution without the approval of three-fourths of the Senate voting separately from the Lower House would ignore Congress’ bicameral nature. The senators were referring to the resolution authored by Kampi president and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly. Villafuerte said only the Supreme Court can determine whether the said resolution constitutes violations of the 1987 Constitution. In his statement, Claudio said he does not believe that “it is the wish or intent of House members to proceed with any congressional moves to amend or revise the Constitution without the participation of the Senate.” “It will be good if this matter can be mutually resolved without involving the Supreme Court,” he said. “Perhaps the senators need not be averse to their counterparts’ initiatives and there would be no cause for speculations or threats of a unilateral Con-ass.” He added that congressmen should assure senators that their initiatives will not result to a “no election” scenario in 2010 or to term extensions of public officials. Claudio likewise said that with an inter-chamber dialogue, protest actions against Charter change will not be necessary. “Perhaps there would be no need for the public to inconvenienced by rallies right in the middle of the country’s financial district and for Senator Mar Roxas to let loose an uncharacteristic emotional outburst in public,” he said, referring to last Friday’s interfaith rally in Makati City where Roxas uttered expletives in his speech. - GMANews.TV