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Friday, July 07, 2006
Arroyo ‘can force’ Senate to join charter assembly
Presidnet Arroyo has the prerogative to address the Senate’s refusal to meet with the House of Representatives to form a constituent assembly for Charter change.
Former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia cited Section 15, Article 6 of the Constitution that says “the President can call Congress to a special session at anytime.”
With this, the Senate will be constrained, if not compelled, to attend.
“This provision is there but they did not find this,” said Garcia, a member of the Consultative Commission that Malacañang formed to help draft proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
In yesterday’s gathering of Cebu’s mayors and other local leaders for the last leg of Charter change summits, Garcia disclosed that he recently informed House Speaker Jose de Venecia and the Solicitor General Antonio Eduardo Nachura about the provision.
“I think they will take this up,” he said.
The House of Representatives had passed a resolution requesting the Senate for a joint session for the purpose of forming a constituent assembly to change the Constitution. Until now, however, the resolution has yet to get a response.
The Senate’s attitude is only understandable, said Garcia, as the House of Representatives had “overzealous” announcements for the need to abolish the Upper Chamber.
But even if Arroyo will succeed in forming a constituent assembly, Garcia said Charter change will still not happen this year or
next year.
“If we force this, it will be overtaken by events. By November this year, parties will already hold conventions to select their candidates. On January, certificates of candidacy will be filed,” he said. (JPM )
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 7, 2006 issue)
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