FORMER Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo believes that the Philippine Senate will not agree to amend the constitution unilaterally by the Lower House, following the Congress’s push for a Charter change (Cha-cha).
Panelo added that this issue may even reach the Supreme Court.
“Whether or not a House, on its own can… Amendments to the constitution without the participation of the Senate, I think that will reach the Supreme Court. Senators will not allow themselves to be excluded,” according to Atty. Salvador Panelo, Former Presidential Legal Counsel.
Panelo stated that the public needs to know where the said budget will be spent and allocated.
The former Presidential Chief Legal Counsel also questioned the un-programmed funds, saying that it is risky as it could end up being used as Pork Barrel Funds.
He explained that in case the move for a parliamentary government is pushed through, the vice president will lose power, and only the elected prime minister will lead the country.
“We need to change the system of government whether we enter a parliamentary one or not. If we enter, definitely, there will be a prime minister. Of course, they will vote among themselves. They will vote among themselves,” he added.
When it comes to the issue of who might lead the Philippines if the Charter-change is successfully pushed through.
“Anyone can be a prime minister; it depends on the alliances inside. The political groups will decide that. There are many, it’s a numbers game again,” he said.
To recall, House Speaker Martin Romualdez expressed his desire to focus on constitutional amendments in 2024, to ‘address economic provisions’.
Charter change, has been discussed several times, but up to now, such move has yet to push through.
