A former Commission on Elections (Comelec) official who was among the framers of the 1987 Constitution on Wednesday backed the House of Representatives' decision to amend the Charter through a Constituent Assembly or Con-Ass.
Rene Sarmiento, representing the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said after almost three decades and five presidencies, "the 1987 Constitution now merits amendments."
"The PPCRV proposes that the amendments be done by Congress sitting as a Constituent Assembly," Sarmiento told the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Sarmiento, however, said a Constitutional Convention should be chosen to amend the Charter if the PPCRV would eventually favor federalism.
"The PPCRV has still to discuss the issue of federalism in the Board of General Assembly. This writer proposes that in the event the PPCRV favors federalism, the mode of changing the Constitution is by revision thru a Constitutional Convention," said Sarmiento.
Sarmiento proposed the following amendments to the Constitution:
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Rene Sarmiento, representing the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said after almost three decades and five presidencies, "the 1987 Constitution now merits amendments."
"The PPCRV proposes that the amendments be done by Congress sitting as a Constituent Assembly," Sarmiento told the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Sarmiento, however, said a Constitutional Convention should be chosen to amend the Charter if the PPCRV would eventually favor federalism.
"The PPCRV has still to discuss the issue of federalism in the Board of General Assembly. This writer proposes that in the event the PPCRV favors federalism, the mode of changing the Constitution is by revision thru a Constitutional Convention," said Sarmiento.
Sarmiento proposed the following amendments to the Constitution:
-reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years old
-giving the Commission on Human Rights the power to prosecute
-removing the quasi-judicial function of the Comelec so that it can focus on its executive and administrative functions of supervising elections
Last month, the House panel approved a motion calling for Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Con-ass and Con-con are two out of only three modes of changing the Constitution. In a Con-ass, members of Congress are convened to amend the Constitution.
In a Con-con, the people who will amend the Charter will be elected by the people.
The third alternative is a "People's Initiative," or a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters. Every legislative district must also be represented by at least 3 percent of the voters there.
-quota for women representatives in Congress
-providing for educational qualifications for president, vice president, senators and congressmen
-fleshing out the provision on political dynasties
-inclusion of a bill of rights and responsibilities
-adding foundlings as citizens of the Philippines
-adopting a two-round system as an electoral system
-inclusion of persons with disabilities and senior citizens in local absentee voting.Last month, the House panel approved a motion calling for Congress to convene into a Constituent Assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Con-ass and Con-con are two out of only three modes of changing the Constitution. In a Con-ass, members of Congress are convened to amend the Constitution.
In a Con-con, the people who will amend the Charter will be elected by the people.
The third alternative is a "People's Initiative," or a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters. Every legislative district must also be represented by at least 3 percent of the voters there.
Source: gmanetwork
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