What is the Con Ass and What Can We do About It
June 9th, 2009
Our Constitution, the fundamental law of the land, can be changed in three ways. One is through a Constitutional Convention where delegates are elected by the people. This is how our 1987 constitution was drafted. Second is through an initiative where twelve percent (12%) of the total registered voters can sign a petition for charter change. Each legislative district must be represented by at least three percent (3%) of its registered voters. And finally, through a Constituent Assembly where Congress (House of Representative and the Senate) transforms itself into a body that changes or amends the constitution. This is more popularly referred to today as the Con Ass.
The debate today is not whether Con Ass is a valid way to change the constitution. It is. Rather, it is the way the House of Representatives formed the Constituent Assembly. In our current constitution it simply states that the Constituent Assembly is formed by a vote of 3/4 of all the members of Congress. It is not stated if the vote is done separately in the House of Representatives and Senate. A 3/4 vote means 176 congressmen and 17 senators voting separately or 196 congressmen plus senators voting as one.
House Bill 1109 was passed on 2 June 2009 with a vote of majority of the Congressmen present. The way this resolution was passed has been questioned by many as unconstitutional. It does not follow the process written out to form a constituent assembly. Only the Supreme Court can now decide whether this is Constitutional or not.
To learn more, whether for or against it, participate! Apathy is the greatest sin of all! (PS: I myself am not decided on what stand to take, but I would love to see the different sides. To tell you honestly, back in HS, I led a team for debate in favor of Cha-Cha. And it has opened my eyes to its possibility, so long as we protect ourselves from being swallowed by the politics behind it.)
CONCERT KONTRA CON-ASS
June 10, 2009
4:00 - 7:00 pm
Ateneo de Manila University
Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City
Entry Filed under: Philippines
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