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President’s 6-year term ‘too long’
Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday said he is planning to push for amendments in the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution like limiting the term of the president and elected officials to four years. Padilla revealed his “alternative plan” after failing to gain support from his colleagues to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution via a constituent assembly or con-ass. “We have another bill about the extension of terms, the reelection of (former) presidents, four-year term for local officials,” he said. “If they don’t want (amendments) on the economic provision, we will try political (amendments),” he added. “Six years are not enough for a wise president, but for a foolish president, it is too much.” The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines, which was in effect from 1935 to 1942 and again from 1945 to 1973, allowed the President to be re-elected for a second term. However, the 1973 Constitution, in effect from 1973 to 1986, did not allow for re-election. The present 1987 Constitution also does not allow for re-election. Manuel L. Quezon was the only President of the Philippines who was reelected under the 1935 Constitution. Quezon was elected President in 1935 and re-elected in 1940. However, he died in office in 1944. Padilla, who chairs the Senate panel on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, insisted that his aspiration for Charter change is “not yet dead.” He admitted, however, that cha-cha may be as good as buried with the rift in the House of Representatives. Padilla was referring to former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being demoted from senior deputy speaker to one of several deputy speakers. Arroyo promptly denied reports she was penalized for allegedly mounting a leadership coup against Speaker Martin Romualdez. The post President’s 6-year term ‘too long’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Padilla wants four-year term limit for president
Senator Robin Padilla on Thursday said he is planning to push for political amendments in the 1987 Constitution such as limiting the term of the president and elected officials to four years. In a press conference at the Senate, Padilla said this is his “alternative plan” after failing to gain enough support to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution via constitutional assembly. “We have another bill about the extension of terms, the reelection of [former] presidents, four-year term for local officials,” he said in Filipino. “If they don’t want [amendments] on the economic provision, we will try political [amendments],” he added. Asked about the basis of his plan to allow former presidents to run for office again, the neophyte senator answered: “Six years are not enough for a wise president, but for a foolish president, it is too much.” ‘Cha-cha not dead’ Padilla, who chairs the Senate panel on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, insisted that his aspiration for charter change (cha-cha) is “not yet dead.” “Maybe the [amendments on] economic provision but not cha-cha,” he said. The lawmaker is advocating for the amendment of the economic provisions through a constitutional assembly or con-ass while the House of Representatives is pushing for a constitutional convention. He explained that one of the reasons cha-cha in Congress “died” is due to the issue of Speakership in the House of Representatives. “It ultimately died after the row in the lower chamber,” he said. Last week, reports about the speakership row emerged after former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her title as senior deputy Speaker. Arroyo was replaced by Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio Gonzales. The move fueled speculations that it was related to a failed attempt by the former president to oust Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The veteran politician had admitted that she was gunning for the speakership last year but that is “no longer part” of her “political objectives” at this point. The post Padilla wants four-year term limit for president appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Congress still prefers con-con over Senate’s con-ass
The House of Representatives refused to budge on the Senate's preferred route on the Cha-cha caravan or Charter change and will stick to what the chamber had agreed on. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the chairman of the powerful constitutional amendments, told the Daily Tribune that there is no better way to tweak the 1987 Constitution than through constitutional convention or con-con, which the House prefers. The House's initiative, however, goes against Senator Robin Padilla's preferred approach — the con-ass or constitutional assembly. Padilla is the chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes. The two chambers of Congress have been clashing about their differing stance on whether or not to amend the Constitution via constitutional convention as proposed by the House members. The Senate, dominated by Cha-cha opponents, also steadfastly maintained that there is no current need for constitutional reform and has echoed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s claim that there are already enough laws to draw in foreign investments without having to tinker with the Constitution. But Rodriguez earlier affirmed that not even the executive power couldn't halt the House's attempt at Charter reform, particularly its move to repeal its "overly-protective" economic provisions. Just days before Congress went on Lenten recess, the House passed Resolution of Both Houses 6 and House Bill 7352, which both call for a con-con as the route to Cha-cha, with a supermajority vote. The post Congress still prefers con-con over Senate’s con-ass appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House arrest warrant vs Quiboloy moot – lawyer
Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s lawyer says the arrest warrant issued by a House of Representatives panel is moot as the panel’s hearings are already adjourned......»»
FPRRD: Constitutional amendment works may have started thru Con-Ass
FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte called the eagerness of the Marcos administration to amend the 1987 Philippine constitution for term extension "kababuyan” (nastiness) after learning that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his allies are now resorting to amending it through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass)......»»
DBP seeks capital buildup of up to P300 billion
State-run Development Bank of the Philippines is hoping to raise its authorized capital stock to P300 billion as the bank seeks to amend its nearly three-decade-old charter......»»
Teachers say no to charter change, denationalization of education’
Opposing any initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution to cater to the needs of foreign business and powers is an important act of this remembering.” The post Teachers say no to charter change, denationalization of education’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
‘No to Cha Cha’ in UP Fair and Oblation Run
“No to Charter Change (Cha Cha)” reverberated during the recent two main events in the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines : the Oblation Run and the UP Fair. The House of Representatives is attempting to amend the 1987 Constitution primarily on the “prohibitive” economic provisions that limit foreign ownership. Faculty members of.....»»
Businessmen, more legal experts weigh in on Cha-cha
Foreign business leaders yesterday weighed in on proposals to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution while legal luminaries said they see no need to change the Charter......»»
PNP won’t intervene in people’s initiative
The Philippine National Police will not intervene in the signature campaign seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution as long as it does not lead to violations of the law, according to PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., after former president Rodrigo Duterte called on security forces to “protect” the Charter......»»
President Marcos to speak before constitutionalists, MOPC on Constitution Day
President Marcos will deliver a policy speech during the commemoration of Constitution Day on Feb. 8 as the debate on whether or not to amend the 1987 Charter rages on......»»
Senate hearings on economic Cha-cha to start next week
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that the Senate will begin deliberating its proposal to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution next week amid heightened political tensions that seemed to have sprung from differing views on how to change the Charter......»»
Marcos consulting legal luminaries on economic Cha-cha
Amid the ongoing feud between the House of Representatives and the Senate over the people’s initiative, President Marcos yesterday disclosed that he is consulting legal luminaries and Constitution experts on the most acceptable way to amend the economic provisions of the Charter......»»
Comelec suspends proceedings for people’s initiative to amend Charter
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said it will halt all proceedings related to the signature drive for amending the 1987 Constitution via people’s initiative (PI). This includes the Comelec’s acceptance of signatures in their local offices. In a press conference in Manila, Comelec Chair George Garcia said that the commission.....»»
Duterte says Marcos risks same fate as dictator father amid charter change push
In a fiery speech Sunday evening, Duterte accused his predecessor of being a “drug addict” and of trying to amend the Constitution to prolong his term of office. .....»»
Amid House-Senate rift, Romualdez seeks common ground on Cha-cha with Zubiri
After the Senate delivered a scathing rejection of the ongoing People’s Initiative (PI) campaign to amend the Charter, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has reached out to Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to express the lower chamber's support for an alternative PI led by the upper chamber......»»
Local officials’ union throws support behind charter change
Not all local government officials, however, share the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines' position on the initiative to amend the Constitution.....»»
Bohol bishops warn public of deception in charter change signature drive
CEBU CITY, Philippines- Two bishops from Bohol have issued a Pastoral Letter urging the public against being misled in the signature collection for a people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution. The pastoral letter, dated January 24, 2024, was signed by Talibon Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon and Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy. In the letter, the.....»»
Settle Cha-cha mode at LEDAC
Two veteran lawmakers who figured prominently in past attempts to amend the country’s 1987 Constitution took me down memory lane amid the latest revival of Charter change (Cha-cha) moves. Specifically, they are erstwhile Senate president Franklin Drilon and former Negros Occidental congressman Margarito Teves, who both tried to help amend the Constitution in the past but their efforts ended in vain......»»
Labor advocates sound alarm on Charter change
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) expressed its opposition to moves by the Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution, fearing that it could lead to the removal of provisions protecting laborers in favor of attracting investors......»»