A senior lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill convening an elected constitutional convention (con-con) to recommend economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
In House Joint Resolution No. 12, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said various business groups have suggested that “particular economic provisions need to be revisited and redrafted so that the Philippines may become globally competitive and attuned to the changing times.”
He said these organizations feel that economic reform “is now long overdue.”
“Political reforms may now as well be required to be incorporated in our Constitution,” he said.
“The assumption of the new government counteracts any suspicion that the clamor for constitutional reform promotes vested interests and the personal ambitions of elective officials in the guise of constitutional amendments,” he added.
According to Rodriguez, a constitutional convention (con-con) “would be the most democratic and least divisive” mode of proposing Charter changes.
Under the resolution, the convention would be composed of delegates elected from legislative districts. Each district would elect one delegate.
Candidates would have the same qualifications as members of the House of Representatives.
Their election would be conducted on the last Monday of October 2023 simultaneously with the barangay elections.
Political parties or groups would be prohibited from supporting any con-con candidate. No candidate shall allow himself to represent any political party or organization.
Public officers, whether elective or appointive, would be considered automatically resigned if they run for the convention.
A convention delegate would not be allowed to run in the first local and national election to be held after the ratification of the proposed Charter changes.
The resolution sets the convening of the convention for January 8, 2024. It fixes a deadline of six months, up to June 30, 2024, for the body to finish its job and submit a report to the President, Congress and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The Comelec will conduct a plebiscite for the ratification of the proposed amendments within 60 days to 90 days after the submission of the con-con report.
Con-con delegates would not receive a salary. However, they would be given a P10,000 per diem for every day of actual attendance in the convention or any of its committees. Additionally, they would be entitled to traveling expenses.
They would enjoy parliamentary immunity like lawmakers.
All government agencies, including the Senate and the House, would be mandated to extend administrative and technical assistance to the convention.
The Senate president and the Speaker would preside in the con-con’s initial session until it elects its officers.