(Eagle News) — Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday warned against railroading the planned shift to a federalist form of government.
In a Twitter post, he said that a process that would “fundamentally alter our system of government” should, after all, not be expedited.
Ejercito added that “the most important issue” for him was that Congress also vote separately on the issue.
“I am not prepared to support a process that would diminish the power and independence of the upper chamber,” Ejercito said.
By process, Ejercito was referring to the process by which the country’s Constitution could be amended, such that the Philippines would have a federal form of government instead.
Some in Congress have agreed a Constituent Assembly or Con-Ass was the best mode to do this.
Under a Con-Ass, all members of Congress–both of the House of Representatives and the Senate—convene as one body and propose the amendments.
But others say a Constitutional Convention, whose delegates tasked to propose amendments to the Constitution are elected, while more expensive, would ensure more transparency.