Comelec frowns upon proposal to elect con-con delegates in 2010

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said there may not be enough time to prepare for the election of constitutional convention (con-con) delegates considering the proximity of the May 2010 elections. The Comelec's reluctance to hold the election of con-con delegates simultaneously with that of national and local officials did not douse the hopes of Charter change proponents of amending the 1987 Constitution before the end of the 14th Congress. During the hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments, Comelec commissioner Elias Yusoph said calling for a constitutional convention within the year would leave little time for the poll body to prepare for the election of delegates. He noted that the deadline of the filing for candidacy of national and local candidates is on November 30, and that the printing of ballots would end in January 7. "We are running out of time," said Yusoph. He said there may not even be enough space in the ballots for con-con delegates' names, as one ballot can only carry a maximum of 600 names, or 300 each side. The number of senatorial candidates alone could reach 100, according to Yusoph. "If we include the candidates for constitutional convention delegates I think it would be very long. Masyadong mahaba yung balota natin (Our ballot would be too long)," he said. Confusing Yusoph said the simultaneous election of national and local officials and con-con delegates "would be confusing to the public, especially that constitutional convention delegates should be elected by district in the same way that congressmen should be elected by district." He however conceded that the Comelec would have no choice but to abide by what Congress decides. Despite the Comelec commissioner's apprehensions, con-con proponents proceeded to discuss a draft concurrent resolution pushing for the election of con-con delegates at the same time as the May 2010 elections. The committee even voted 7-3 against a motion by Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel to halt deliberations on all Charter change measures in the 14th Congress. Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III, a con-con supporter, said the Comelec's concern about causing confusion among voters could easily be addressed by proper "political education." It also shouldn't be impossible for the Comelec to include one or two names of con-con delegates per district in the ballots, he said. Committee chair and La Union Rep. Victor Ortega said they would decide on the consolidated con-con measure, which has yet to be filed, in its next hearings. 'Hibernating measures' According to Ortega, the passage of a con-con measure in the House would have no effect on other pending Charter change measures such as House Resolutions 1109 and 737, which push for a constituent assembly and amendments to the Charter's economic provisions, respectively. "If the committee approves this (con-con measure), they (HR 1109 and 737) will be there for the time being, hibernating," Ortega said. "1109 and 737 can go their way. There is no reason to say wala na yun." HR 737 is currently up for plenary debate. The controversial HR 1109 has been adopted by the House, but lawmakers are still at a bind over whether to send it to the Senate. Speaker Prospero Nograles said he would hold a House leaders' caucus within the month to determine the measures' fate. - GMANews.TV