HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday said the people’s active participation in the national debate on constitutional reforms is necessary, while giving assurances there will be no reenacted national budget by January 2017.
“President Duterte’s proposed P3.35-trillion 2017 General Appropriations Act will be ready by January. Public discussion on the issue of Charter reforms will not distract us from the timely passage of the 2017 budget,” Alvarez said.
He lauded the members of House committee on appropriations, chaired by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, for their patience and determined efforts in making sure the measure would be a catalyst of national growth responsive to the people’s needs.
In the meantime, Alvarez said free and open public debate on the issue of constitutional reforms, especially on federalism, must be encouraged between now and next year before Congress focuses its attention on the growing consensus of adopting a federal system.
“We have the responsibility of providing our people all the necessary avenues and information, pros and cons, on the proposed reforms promoting good governance,” Alvarez explained, reminding everyone “the future of our people and nation is at stake.”
He added a citizenry actively participating in decision-making and governance should always be prepared to sacrifice and share the burdens of national reformation.
“Let us never forget that government exists for the people,” he declared.
Alvarez also stressed the issue of what reforms to be introduced is more crucial than the question of how such constitutional change could be achieved.
House records show a long list of bills and resolutions referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, seeking constitutional reforms mostly by way of a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) or a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).
There are also several House Bills calling for a Constitutional Convention to revise the 1987 Charter, among which are: HB 081 authored by Rep. Maximo B. Rodriguez Jr., HB 1463 initiated by Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento, and HB 1838 filed by Rep. Doy C. Leachon.
The House of Representatives is expected to shift its focus to constitutional reforms after the proposed GAA is submitted to the President for his signature by early next year.