LAWYERS in Iloilo City slammed the House of Representatives for adopting Resolution 1109, which seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly (Con-Ass) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

In a resolution, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Iloilo Chapter headed by lawyer Marven Daquilanea as president said the approval of HR 1109 in the House without the Senate’s participation is in contravention of the bicameral nature of Congress and the spirit and intent of the Constitution.

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Former presidents of the IBP also said the adoption of HR 1109 “inescapably displays the arrogance of power by members of the House of Representatives in their adherence of the tyranny of their numbers, a conduct unbecoming of members of a collegial legislative body in a democratic government.”

The group also said the adoption of the House resolution is a despicable act of disrespect to fellow members of Congress, if not a virtual denial of the existence of a co-equal Chamber or the Senate in Congress.

The lawyers also said in a statement that the act of ¾ members of the House is an act demonstrative of the insensitiveness of the ruling party in the government to the voices of dissent and protests expressed by the people.

A reaction paper dated June 10, 2009 was signed by IBP former presidents Norberto Posecion, Vicente Gengos Jr., Arturo Alinio, Rey Padilla, Angelo Robert Aninao, Amelita K. del Rosario-Benedicto, and Virgilio Teruel.

Posecion, IBP president in 1979-1981, said they are not against the Charter change, provided it is being done after the 2010 presidential elections and that the mode shall be a Constitutional Convention with delegates voted by the people.

The congressmen of Western Visayas who signed HR 1109 are Representatives Florencio Miraflores of Aklan; Jeffrey Ferrer, Alfredo Marañon, Genaro Alvarez Jr., Jose Carlos Lacson, and Ignacio Arroyo, all of Negros Occidental; Raul Gonzalez Jr. of Iloilo City, Ferjenel Biron, Judy Syjuco, Niel Tupas Jr., Arthur Defensor Sr. and Janette Garin, all of the province of Iloilo; JC Rahman Nava of Guimaras, and Fredenil Castro of Capiz.

Those who failed to sign the resolution are Representatives Exequiel Javier of Antique, Monico Puentebella of Bacolod City, and Antonio del Rosario of Roxas City.