Charter change in Senate on ‘life support’—Pangilinan
THE Charter change (cha-cha) proposal in the Senate is on “life support system” since there is a bipartisan consensus not to rush its approval, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said on Thursday.
Pangilinan was responding to a query on whether the Charter change process in the Senate was trustworthy.
“Kung tatanungin n’yo ano ang [status]Cha-cha sa Senado, siguro naka-life support [If you’re going to ask the status of Cha-cha in the Senate, it is on life support system],” Pangilinan said in a media forum.
However, Pangilinan said that anything could happen when it comes to Charter change debates in the Senate and the House of Representatives (HoR). The Consultative Committee (ConCom) has transmitted to Congress the draft constitution on the shift to a federal government from a unitary system.
“Pero, kahit nasa ICU (intensive care unit) nagkakamilagro. So, abangan na lang. Basta sa atin ang importante ‘di minamadali, at ‘di pinipilit nitong May 2019 elections [But even if it is on ICU, miracles can happen. So, let’s wait and see. The important thing is that it will not be rushed and will not be forced on us this May 2019 midterm elections],” he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said that insofar as the Senate is concerned, the proposal to shift to federalism was “waiting to be cremated.”
Asked whether fellow members in the minority bloc shared his opinion, Pangilinan said, “I was responding to Sen. Lacson’s comment. He is not in the minority. So, there is a growing consensus on not rushing Cha-cha under the current situation.” BERNADETTE TAMAYO
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