By FERDIE J. MAGLALANG
Malacañang yesterday welcomed the plan by the House minority bloc to question before the Supreme Court (SC) the legitimacy of the 50-man Consultative Commission (ConCom) which was created to review and propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
This developed as members of the ConCom led by Chairman Jose Abueva welcomed the assurance of Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Constantino Jaraula Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, that the House of Representatives will discuss and consider the formal recommendations of the ConCom in its debates on Charter change.
Jaraula assured the body that he supports the creation and mandate of the consultative body on constitutional reforms. "You will never be redundant because the voice of the people will be heard through you."
He encouraged the members of the ConCom to complete their studies earlier than the deadline. "Nothing stops you from finishing earlier," he added.
Jaraula stressed that urgent political reforms are needed in light of grave threats to the country’s democratic institutions.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye issued the statement welcoming the Malacañang plan as he defended Executive Order (EO) 453 creating the ConCom which he claimed is tasked to study possible amendments to the Constitution "outside the arena of a highly-politicized atmosphere."
"There is nothing wrong in having a consultative body to do the spadework on Charter change. The administration is steering clear of the work of the commission because we want to know what is in the people’s mind on Charter change," he said.
Abueva announced yesterday that the commission will begin deliberations on constitutional amendments at the committee level today. ConCom Secretary General Lito Lorenzana and Deputy Secretary General Romela Bengzon are working closely with the Presidential Management Staff in finalizing the arrangements for the regional public consultations that would ensue after committee deliberations are concluded.
Abueva expressed confidence that the work of the ConCom is on track and the body would be able to meet the Dec. 15 deadline stipulated under EO 453.
Opposition lawmakers in the Lower House are reportedly planning to question EO 453 before the Supreme Court, arguing that President Arroyo usurped Congress’ power in reviewing and proposing Charter changes when she created ConCom.
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. alleged that the President was wrong in creating the ConCom because she only allows a "duplication of work" that constitutionally and solely rests upon Congress alone.
