On approval of constituent assembly: Pabling: "It always takes 2 to cha-cha"

CEBU, Philippines - Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia yesterday clarified that the passage of the House Resolution 1109 does not necessarily mean that Congress will convene into a constituent assembly even without the Senate’s approval.

He said that the resolution was just a call for all the members of Congress and an invitation to the Senate to convene into a constituent assembly to introduce amendments to the Constitution.

Garcia, who represents the second district of Cebu, was among those who voted for the passage of the resolution.

The legislator said the resolution will be sent to the Senate for approval, adding that if the senators refuse to accept the resolution it would mean that a constituent assembly could not be convened.

“Dili na mahimo nga ang House of Representatives ra ang mo-convene as a constituent assembly,” Garcia said over dyLA. “It always takes two to tango and to cha-cha.”

The veteran lawmaker and a constitutionalist said that the people especially those who are against the measure have nothing to worry about because if the senators will not agree with the resolution, the move to convene Congress as a constituent assembly will not prosper.

He vowed not to participate in the process if his colleagues in the House will push for the constituent assembly without the participation of the Senate.

“Dili ko moapil kun mo-convene sila nga wala ang Senado kay mahimo tang kataw-anan,” Garcia said.

He added he will convince his colleagues that they cannot proceed with the constituent assembly without the Senate.

The House passed Tuesday night the House Resolution 1109 calling for a constituent assembly with the members of Congress voting jointly and obtained the three-fourth votes of its membership, which would render the Senate irrelevant, on proposed amendments. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)