Dalog proposes referendum in Congress to resolve Cha-cha

By Erlindo Agwilang, Jr.

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Rep. Maximo B. Dalog has proposed for the holding of a national referendum synchronized with the May 9, 2016 general elections to determine whether or not to amend or revise the Philippine Constitution.

Dalog filed Resolution No. 2384 on Sept. 4, 2015 at the House of Representatives calling for a referendum to let the electorate decide whether or not to call for a constitutional convention to propose amendments to, or revision of the 1987 Constitution. 

Dalog urged the Commission on Elections to include on the ballot in next year’s polls a supplement question which reads, “Do you want the 17th Congress to, within 90 days from the opening of its session, call for a constitutional convention that will be composed of elected and appointed delegates to propose amendments to, or revision of, the 1987 Constitution?”

In an interview, the solon said as early as 1997, there have been strong clamor and initiatives to amend the Charter particularly on term limit on the part of the president. In year 2006, no less than 6,327,952 of the registered voters in the Philippines signed a Petition to amend the Constitution in order to change the form of government from presidential-bicameral to parliamentary-unicameral but was not allowed by the Supreme Court due to procedural defects.

Dalog noted that currently, there is likewise a strong clamor from the business sector to amend some of the economic provisions of our constitution which are reasons why some foreign investors are shying away from the Philippines thereby greatly affecting the country’s economic progress.

“In order to resolve the issue on whether or not to amend or revise the Constitution, there is a need to consult the people directly by way of referendum and let their sovereign will prevail,” he added.

Dalog explained that Section 3, Article XVIII of the 1987 Constitution provides that Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its members, submit to the electorate the question calling for such convention.