Con-com welcomes petition before SC questioning its legality

The 49-member presidential consultative commission (con-com) on constitutional amendments has welcomed moves questioning the validity of the commission to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

"We are still waiting for a copy of the petition. We welcome all sorts of TROs (temporary restraining orders). We welcome all objections for all sundry," con-com secretary general Lito Monico Lorenzana said.

Lorenzana said the members of the commission are unfazed over the petition filed by a party-list group questioning the legality of their task to propose amendments to the Charter.

The party-list group ABAKADA-Guro represented by lawyer Samson Alcantara had filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the con-com from studying recommendations on possible changes to the Constitution.

Samson filed a 19-page petition for certiorari and prohibition urging the high tribunal to declare Executive Order 453 that created the con-com as unconstitutional.

Lorenzana said they would push through their one-week consultation tours to start on Oct. 24 in Cebu and Mindanao.

"The nationwide consultations slated to start Oct. 24 will feel the public’s pulse over the proposed changes to the 1987 Constitution," Lorenzana said.

"The people’s decision would be primordial. We have to listen to them," he added.

Lorenzana said consultations in Luzon, including Metro Manila and Bicol province will follow on Nov. 12.

Con-com chairman Dr. Jose Abueva earlier stressed the commission is a mere study group and consultative body formed by President Arroyo.

Abueva said the President had tasked the con-com to submit its recommendations to her. The President, in turn, will submit con-com’s recommendation before Congress to aid the deliberations for Charter change.

Abueva expressed confidence con-com’s recommendations could offer significant help to Congress should it decide to amend the present Charter.

"What we will present (to) them (Congress) are feedbacks from across the country. I think (members of) Congress, with their busy schedule, can get help from the people, experts and scholars," he said.

Con-com officials have said that they would have to make do with the P10-million budget allotted to them under EO 453.

Lorenzana, a native of Davao City, on the other hand, said consultations would be initially done in Mindanao as the region is perceived to be the most receptive to the idea of federalism.

After wrapping up its consultations in Mindanao, members of the con-com will then proceed to the cities of Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod , Tacloban, Roxas and Puerto Princesa to hold more public consultations before returning to Manila for a plenary session, Lorenzana said.

Though Malacañang has not provided the con-com with funding in addition to its P10 million operating fund, Lorenzana said assistance on the conduct of the regional consultations has been offered to them by the various regional development offices and the various local government units.

"We will have a working draft (of the proposed amended Constitution) by Oct. 24. It will be for the people to debate on," he said.

Lorenzana said they would try as much as possible to sense the public pulse even if it runs contrary to the sentiments and advocacy of the con-com.

"It’s the voice of the people and we have to tell the President on what the people want. But of course, the President can choose to ignore us," he said.

The con-com has until Dec. 15 to submit recommendations to the President.