AUG 9, 2016

NR # 4287C

Revision of the Constitution to follow passage of 2017 GAA

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III are of the consensus
that the issue of constitutional amendments could formally be given focus starting in January 2017.
The consensus surfaced during an informal breakfast meeting among the leaders of Congress,
led by Senate President Pimentel and House Speaker Alvarez, at the Business Center of EDSA
Shangri-la (EDSA) on Tuesday morning.
It was more like a fellowship meeting between the leaders of both Houses of Congress with
an end in view of harmonizing relations to serve the people better, Speaker Alvarez told inquisitive
media persons after the closed door meeting.
Among those in the meeting were House Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Farias, Senate
Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Ralph G. Recto and Senators Loren B.
Legarda and Joseph Victor G. Ejercito.
Senate President Pimentel said the meeting was without any particular agenda and that there
was no gridlock.
There was no bad news arising from our meeting which focused on helping achieve harmony
on matters of legislation, Pimentel said.
On the question of how the proposed constitutional amendments would be carried out,
whether through a Constitutional Convention, a Constituent Assembly or a Constitutional
Commission, remains to be discussed further, the two leaders revealed.
We have no decision yet. It was a free flowing discussion which we agreed to continue as
often as possible, Pimentel said, adding that we have to continue meeting as we have agreed upon.
Between now and November this year, Speaker Alvarez said we will give focus to the
consideration and passage of the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2017, and other vital
issues, before redirecting attention to the revision of the Constitution by January.
On the question of whether the Senate and the House of Representatives would vote
separately, in case a Constituent Assembly is put in place, both Pimentel and Alvarez said this issue is
not a problem.
Speaker Alvarez emphasized that the issue on how the revisions would be done is not the meat
of the entire spectrum. What is important is the substance of the proposed changes in our
fundamental law.
We have agreed to continue meeting and agree on what is good for our people and country,
Alvarez said. (30) dpt