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‘Senate rules on Cha-cha on the right track’
The Senate rules on amending the 1987 Constitution are “on the right track” and ready even before the sub-committee wraps up its discourse on the Resolution of Both Houses 6 pushing Charter change, a senator said......»»
House moves closer to Cha-cha goal after 6 hearings
The House of Representatives, meeting as a whole committee, took a significant step towards Charter change (Cha-cha) by approving Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) on Wednesday. This step is similar to endorsing a committee report. House leaders anticipate the next stage, the approval on second reading, to occur next Wednesday or before.....»»
Why 4 lawmakers voted against RBH7, the economic charter change proposal
House lawmakers, convening as a committee of the whole, adopts the proposal on economic charter change just two weeks after deliberations started at the committee level.....»»
The mystical, mysterious PI
The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes and its newly created Senate sub-committee kick off their own legislative process to tackle the highly contentious Charter change (Cha-cha) bills......»»
Police: No truth to bomb threat at PI’s prayer rally
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has debunked a text message claiming a bomb threat at the People's Initiative (PI) “Unity for One Nation, One Prayer” rally in San Pedro Square. The message warned of possible explosions at Rizal Park, one of the rally venues. Despite the lack of credible threats, the police urged vigilance and cooperation from the public for safety. Approximately 300 police personnel were deployed to secure various rally points, with additional support from volunteers and security clusters. Task Force Davao also activated a high alert status as part of the city's security measures. Captain John Louie Dema-ala confirmed that the circulating threat was unfounded and aimed at intimidating rallyists. Despite this, nearly 17,000 Dabawenyos joined the rally to oppose the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha) movement. The police and security forces remain vigilant and are conducting ongoing investigations into the social media threat......»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»
Makabayan bloc seeks probe into funding of charter change initiatives
In a resolution Reps. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list) called for a probe by the House’s committee on public accounts, stressing the public deserves to know the source of funding for the renewed attempt to change the Constitution. .....»»
For steadier, sturdier ship
The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis wiped out the jobs and savings of millions of working Filipinos, 3.96 million of whom were driven into poverty. I felt that my experience in the financial sector made it my duty to help guide the hands that steer the ship of State, to whomever those hands might belong. So, I launched my political career. A steadier, sturdier ship of State has been my life’s work. In 2001, with the looming financial collapse in the power sector, I helped craft the Energy and Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA. That reduced the sector’s liabilities from P1.23 trillion in 2003 to P346 billion last year. In 2004, with imminent fiscal disaster, I crafted President Gloria Arroyo’s administration’s “Roadmap to Fiscal Rehabilitation,” P166 billion in reforms preventing widespread government austerity. That paid for the economic stimulus program I proposed in 2007-2009, putting us ahead of the curve with positive growth in 2008 and 2009 while the rest of the world retreated. For nine years between terms in Congress, I served as governor of Albay after the most traumatic event in its recent history: Supertyphoon “Reming.” Here are the numbers for Albay: We reduced the poverty rate from 32 percent in 2006 to 24 percent in 2015 (when the national figures were from 25 to 21 percent over the same period). We went from No. 177 in the National Achievement Test to No. 19; from 18,000 to 172,000 covered by PhilHealth; from 8,700 foreign tourists in 2006 to 374,000 in 2015, with total tourists from 123,000 to 1.4 million; from 74 percent rice self-sufficiency to 104 percent; from 6,300 hectares of forests in 2003 to 26,000 in 2006 to 53,000 in 2015. With 88,444 college scholars, we crafted the basis for the Free College Tuition Law, which I principally authored later. We established the Zero-Casualty Doctrine and pioneered local climate change adaptation, gaining us global acclaim and helping elect me co-chair of the United Nations Green Climate Fund. Under President Rodrigo Duterte, I shepherded the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program and the economic liberalization reforms. Continuing my chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I led structural reforms, including the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the Public-Private Partnership Act, and the Center for Disease Control Charter — all set to become law soon. In time, I hope they will prove their value. For now, the work of nation-building continues. The post For steadier, sturdier ship 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......»»
Robin pushes joint Congress hearings on Cha-cha
The Senate committee on constitutional amendments needs to directly consult Charter change proponents in the House of Representatives to help it come up with a report on proposals to amend the Constitution, Sen. Robinhood Padilla said yesterday, insisting on a joint hearing of Congress......»»
House panel OKs reso on charter change via ConCon
MANILA - A resolution calling for a constitutional convention (ConCon) to amend the 1987 Constitution hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives.During the hearing on Monday, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved the still-unnumbered resolution of both houses.....»»
Senate, House to push for economic Cha-cha — lawmaker
The panels of the House of Representatives and the Senate on Charter change have agreed to push for amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, according to House committee chair and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez......»»
Charter change clears House panel
The House constitutional amendments committee approved in a 62-3-3 vote Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s proposal to amend “restrictive” economic provisions in the Constitution......»»
SolGen’s opinion on Congress’ process of voting on charter change sought
The Senate will ask Solicitor General Jose Calida’s opinion on whether the House of Representatives and the Senate will vote on charter amendments jointly or separately. During the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments first hearing on the resolutions seeking for constitutional revisions, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Calida should give his stand on the […] The post SolGen’s opinion on Congress’ process of voting on charter change sought appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Luminaries express different positions on Cha-cha’s timing
Legal luminaries on the first Charter-Change Senate hearing have expressed different positions on the timing of the Constitutional revisions, noting the pandemic and the remaining time under the current administration. During the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments on the timeliness of Cha-Cha, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza pointed out that the threats of […] The post Luminaries express different positions on Cha-cha’s timing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House leaders agree to dance to Velasco’s Cha-cha
The “consensus” among political leaders in the House was reached during a caucus presided by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco a day before the House constitutional amendments committee restarts discussions on charter change......»»
POC charter change talks to continue after election
Talks on changes in the Philippine Olympic Committee constitution and bylaws will continue after the Nov. 27 elections......»»
POC charter change meets strong opposition
The Philippine Olympic Committee’s plan to impose an age limit on officials seeking elective posts in the POC is expected to face rough sailing as seven members of the body openly stated their opposition to the measure......»»
Philippine Olympic body s cha-cha meeting reset
The expected fireworks on the planned “cha-cha” or charter change didn’t happen as the Philippine Olympic Committee on Monday reset its discussions to Friday due to lack of time......»»