Mrs. Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 453 creating the commission last Friday.
At a press conference at Malacañang yesterday, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the consultative commission could start work on Sept. 15 and come up with its recommendations to the Palace for transmittal to Congress by Dec. 31.
"We are looking for the best and the brightest among the citizenry of recognized probity, competence, honesty and patriotism who have a broad understanding and knowledge of the Constitution and political systems," he said.
"There is a need to get the wide ranging impressions of our people about (what) they observe in the present Constitution. This will be a very transparent procedure (consultations)."
In her State of the Nation Address last July 25, Mrs. Arroyo pushed for immediate amendment of the Constitution to shift from a unitary presidential form of government to a parliamentary federal system through a constituent assembly.
In a constituent assembly, Congress will convene to propose amendments to the Constitution.
Mrs. Arroyo said she would seek the recommendations of various sectors, including members of the so-called "civil society," who share the urgency of having the Constitution amended.
In the EO, Mrs. Arroyo stressed that Charter change has been her public commitment in 2003 and 2004 and was incorporated in the Medium Term Philippine Development Program.
"Applying the appropriate solutions to our chronic political, economic and cultural problems depends, to a large extent, on effective and accountable political institutions, a decentralized government that is more responsive and accountable to the people and allows them to participate effectively in its decisions and making of social and economic policies," read the EO.
Ermita said the creation of the commission is very important and timely, owing to the political situation as it would also bring Charter change discussions to a higher level instead of reducing it to rumors and "verbal artillery" of non-experts.
He also denied allegations from the opposition that the shift to a parliamentary system would pave the way for Speaker Jose de Venecia to become prime minister.
However, he said there is nothing that would prevent the commission or Congress to tackle the issue of who might head the government should a new constitution be adopted.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the commission’s work on conducting nationwide grassroots consultations would broaden the people’s participation in amending the Constitution.
Ermita refused to comment on suggestions that the commission would be a virtual constitutional convention as it involves consultations with various sectors without having to go through an expensive election of delegates.
The commission would be composed of 50 members representing national, regional and sectoral constituencies, who will be appointed by the President, he added.
Ermita said incumbent public officials, including local executives are not allowed to be members of the commission.
"Local officials and legislators can serve as resource persons during the consultations itself," he said. "Various sectors, such as farmers, fishermen workers, students, lawyers, professionals, business, and academic, would also be consulted."
Jose Abueva, a University of the Philippines professor, would surely be a member of the commission, he added.
Ermita said those who would be appointed to the commission must be prepared to "labor for love of country" as members would not receive any monthly compensation.
They will be entitled to the standard per diems and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) will provide a secretariat to help them with their research and other needs, he added.
Ermita said a budget of P10 million would be allocated for the commission.
The commission would be divided into committees that could cover political, economic, and social and other areas, he added.
He would preside over the first meeting where the commission members would elect among themselves a chairman and vice chairmen and other officers that may be possibly needed, Ermita said.
A Palace committee would screen the nominees from which Mrs. Arroyo would choose members of the commission.
The deadline for nominations would be on Aug. 31.
All nominations must be in writing and must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:
• Curriculum vitae of the nominee.
• An indication of whether the nomination is for a national, regional or sectoral representative.
• An endorsement by a nominating group or individual.
• A certification by the nominee that he or she will accept appointment to the commission.
• Other materials that may aid the appointing body.
Nominations may be delivered or mailed to the PMS Office or e-mailed to concom@pms.gov.ph.