Consultative Committee (ConCom), tasked by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte to review the constitution amid the proposal to shift to a federal form of government, has approved the final draft of the proposal on Tuesday, July 3.
The 22-member committee unanimously approved the proposal to shift to a federalism after more than four months of deliberation and review of the Constitution.
Former Senate President Nene Pimentel moved to approved the final draft and was unopposed.
The committee announced that it intends to submit the proposal to Duterte before his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 9.
“The Con-com hopes to submit the draft to the President on or before July 9—as originally planned—in time for the State of the Nation Address on July 23,” Con-com Spokesperson Ding Generoso told reporters.
In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the president will then submit the proposal to the House of Representatives for further review.
“He will encourage his partymates to study it very closely, and if possible, to pattern the proposed revisions after what the [committee] has recommended,” Roque said.
“We have a supermajority in the House. I think at least in the House it will be very persuasive. We’re hoping it will be equally persuasive in the Senate,” Roque added.
The Congress will then introduce the proposed changes in the Constitution wherein Filipinos will be asked to vote for or against the changes through a plebiscite.
Under the federal government
The ConCom has yet to release the full version of the draft. Some provisions, however, have been announced.
- Political dynasties are strictly prohibited under the federal government. Only two members of the same family are allowed to run in an election – one for a national post and another one for a regional post.
- Turncoats, or shifting from one political party to another, are also prohibited to establish political parties as institutions.
- Candidates for President and Vice President should be college graduates and must run as a tandem, not individually.
- The President’s term will last for four years. The President can also be reelected once.
- The appointment of a Vice President cannot be questioned by the Commission of Appointments.
- Campaign contributions from religious organizations and foreigners are not allowed.
- Senators must be college degree holders and will be elected per region. Each of the 18 federated regions will elected two senators.
- President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo must step down from their posts on June 30, 2022.
