MANILA – For House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 that seeks a longer term for congressmen and other local officials while shortening the current six-year term of senators, an amendment in the Constitution is needed, said opposition Sen. Franklin Drilon.
He added a mere resolution was not enough to amend the Constitution, as stated in Section 1 of Article XVII of the Constitution.
“The proposal would require an amendment to the Constitution either through a constitutional convention or a constitutional assembly. A mere resolution cannot amend the Constitution,” Drilon said.
“It’s a shame to even talk about it when we just opened the 18th Congress. Instead of diligently working on measures to uplift the lives of 25.2 percent of Filipinos living below the poverty line, you are talking about staying in power,” he added.
Drilon added any amendment of the Constitution during the remaining years of Duterte’s administration “has zero chance of passing” particularly with the President recognizing Charter change won’t happen during his time.
“The opposition senators will oppose it. Instead of wasting the very limited time of Congress on Cha-cha, let us focus on the pressing problems like lack of jobs, hunger and poverty, which we can address through ordinary legislation,” Drilon said.
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 that proposes extension on the current three-year term of congressmen and local officials to four years and reduce the term of senators to only four years from the current six years./PN
