Proposed Federal Constitution authorizes removal from office of elected lawmakers

Despite lack of support from Filipinos, Charter change (Cha-cha) efforts heightened in the House of Representatives where a legislative committee recently endorsed a proposed Federal Constitution that contains an unprecedented provision authorizing the removal from office of elected lawmakers.

Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro (NUP, Capiz) and ABS Party-list Rep. Eugene De Vera, co-authors of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 15, said plenary adoption of the joint resolution is expected soon but whether or not a new Constitution will be approved before the end of regular session next year is another matter.

Interviewed separately, Castro and De Vera said adoption of RBH No. 15 by both the Lower House and the Senate will help speed up the

charter change process once picked up in the 18th Congress will start next year.

Castro also backed Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso’s optimism that by adopting RBH No. 15, the unresolved controversy on the manner of voting of the constituent assembly will be addressed in time for the next Congress.

Veloso, chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Revision, said he expects Ilocos Sur Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas to petition the Supreme Court about the voting issue as soon as the Lower House and the Senate pass the joint resolution.

Voting 10 for and 0 against, the constitutional reform committee adopted RBH No. 15 that enjoined Congress to convene into a constituent assembly to approve the proposed federal constitution that is included in the document.

Whether the two legislative chambers will vote separately or jointly on the Charter proposals is not provided in RBH No. 15.

But Veloso said the Lower House will stick to Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s assurance of a separate voting as soon as the constituent assembly is convened.

Castro said the attached Federal Constitution contains a huge portion of the proposal of the Malacañangcreated Constitutional Commission.

A large portion of the measure also included proposals made by De Vera, who, with Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, was the only congressman to submit a bill that already contains a full Charter.

“What was not included in RBH No. 15 are provisions that identified the proposed federal states,” said De Vera.

According to De Vera the proposed Charter in RBH No. 15 practically overhauled the 1987 Constitution.

“It also contains a provision that allows for the removal of a sitting congressman in the same manner of the recall process being observed for erring local government executives,” he said.

However, recent Pulse Asia surveys indicated that only three percent of Filipinos want Charter change on top of the priorities of government.

Castro said this may be due to lack of information about the advantages that the country will experience when a federal system of government is put in place.

Aside from Arroyo and Veloso, other authors of RBH 15 included Reps. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez (PDP-Laban, Negros Occidental),Deogracias Savellano (NP, Ilocos Sur), Eugene Michael De Vera (ABS Partylist), Ron Salo (Kabayan Partylist), Bernadette Herrera-Dy (BH Partylist); ArnolfoTeves Jr. (PDP-Laban, Negros Oriental), and Anthony Bravo (Coop-NattcoPartylist).

House officials listed as cointroducers were Majority Leader Rolando Andaya (PDP-Laban, Camarines Sur), Deputy Speakers Fredenil Castro (NUP, Capiz), and Arthur Yap (PDP-Laban, Bohol), and Deputy Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta.