Con-Com Secretary General Lito Monico Lorenzana said the consultation would bear much weight on their subsequent recommendations since "the people’s decision would be primordial."

"We have to listen to them…we have to talk to them first…present (their views) to the President before the President presents (recommendations) to Congress," Lorenzana added.

The week-long consultations of the various committees will start in Cebu City and fan out to the nearby provinces of southern Philippines, including the cities of Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, Lorenzana said.

Consultations in northern Philippines, including Manila and the Bicol provinces, will start on Nov. 12, he added.

Lorenzana stressed that they would try to gauge the public pulse even if it runs counter to the sentiments and advocacy of the Con-Com.

"It’s the voice of the people and we have to tell the President what the people want…but of course, the President can choose to ignore us," he said.

President Arroyo issued last August Executive Order 453 creating the Consultative Commission tasked to study possible recommendations to the present Charter including the shift from presidential to parliamentary form of government.

Con-Com has until December 15 to submit its recommendations to the President.