CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. expressed support to moves calling for a change in the country’s constitution either through constituent assembly (Con-Ass) or constitutional convention (Con-Con).
Gonzales issued the statement after Friday’s public consultation led by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments with stakeholders in Central Luzon.
Gonzales said he prefer the charter amendments done with both chambers of Congress convened into a Con-Ass.
But the solon said he is open to the idea of the more-expensive Con-Con if this will lead to the “much-needed changes in the outdated provisions of the Constitution.”
In July 2022, Gonzales filed Resolution of Houses No. 1 seeking to extend the term of the president and the vice president to up to 10 years as well as changing the term limits of elected local officials.
Gonzales proposed that the changes be executed with the approval of at least three-fourths of the combined members of Senate and House of Representatives under a Con-ass set-up.
However, recent legislative actions seemed to pursue the direction of a Con-Con, which is also another way to amend the constitution as provided under the Constitution.
Article XVII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.”
Delegates in a Con-Con will be selected through a special election, conduct of which will already consume a considerable amount of time, Gonzales explained.
“That’s why my proposal before was for a Con-Ass, para hindi masyadong magastos at hindi magtagal ang proseso,” Gonzales said.
Given that his colleagues are favoring Con-Con more, Gonzales stressed that he will support the majority’s decision.
“What’s more important is we’ll be able to tweak the parts of our present Constitution that are no longer suited to the needs of the country. This could be a case of ‘the end justifying the means’,” he said.
Asked if his proposal to change the term limits of elected officials would be included if a charter change was approved, Gonzales said “it will be up to the delegates.”
The proposed Con-Con, based on the recent public consultation, focused on changing some of the economic provisions in the Constitution.
“I had consistently—since the 17th Congress—filed House bills for charter change involving the economic and political provisions of our Constitution. If only the former will be tackled then I’ll still be happy to support,” Gonzales said.
The House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Amendments is set to file a report on the consultations this week.