Monday, December 11, 2006 Oro, Misamis Oriental execs voice support for ConCon By Stephen Capillas
LOCAL officials voiced their support over the weekend for a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) to be participated in by legislators from both houses of Congress before the year ends.
In separate interviews over the radio, both Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and Mayor Vicente Emano said the creation of a Constitutional Convention would help offset whatever political tension is simmering due to last week's Congress session.
Opposition lawmakers, the Catholic Church and sectoral groups were up in arms over what they considered as the "railroading" of a House resolution immediately convening Congress into a constituent assembly with or without the participation of the Senate.
But last week, amid threats of major rallies by the Church and civil society, the Charter change proponents somewhat softened their stance and sent communications to the Senate signifying their willingness for the ConCon.
However, the communications carried with it a "72-hour ultimatum" to agree to join Congress to a Constitutional Convention or else they proceed with their original constituent assembly without Senate participation.
During the interview, Moreno said it is difficult to make any readings on the current Senate lineup, adding that most of them have varying stances concerning Charter change.
Moreno said some senators like Senator Franklin Drilon are not averse to Charter change provided it is done through a ConCon while there are others who are opposed to any Charter change bid.
A former congressman, Moreno had voiced his support for a Constitutional Convention over a constituent assembly saying there is more representation and less politics involved in the former process than the latter.
Earlier Senate President Manuel Villar said the Senate is open to amending the Constitution provided it is done after the May 2007 elections.
For his part, Emano said the proposal by lawmakers to hold a ConCon may be a good alternative in light of the heightened political tension in the country.
Emano had earlier voiced support for a constituent assembly, a proposal being pushed by Cagayan de Oro Representative Constantino Jaraula.
The mayor reasoned that it is more expedient, practical and less costly than having to elect delegates to a convention.
The Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese voiced its relief over reports of a proposed shift to a Constitutional Convention.
Archdiocese vicar-general Monsignor Rey Monsanto said this is preferable over the constituent assembly, which he pointed out was obviously railroaded by the House majority.
