Opposition lawmakers on Tuesday criticized the move of the lower House leadership for "railroading" a concurrent resolution to convene Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) that will amend the Constitution.

Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice said the lower House was reduced to a rubber stamp of the Executive Branch and con-ass will only turned into a constitution ruled by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

"How can we entrust charter change to a constituent assembly with the way they railroaded the cha-cha concurrent resolution. They didn't even allow a congressman to finish his interpellation and sinasagasaan na ng cha-cha train," he said in a statement.

The plenary began debates on House Concurrent Resolution 9 on December 13, 2017 with three sponsorship speeches by House constitutional amendments committee chair, Rep. Roger Mercado, Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia, and Leyte 3rd District Rep. Vicente Veloso.

Interpellations were done by ACT party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate.

On Tuesday, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao also interpellated. Casilao, however, claimed he was not done yet.

'LOKOHAN'

Tinio, on his part, denounced the results.

"Talagang lokohan na itong Kongresong ito. Napakahalagang usapin ng pagbabago ng Konstitusyon ay itinigil na ang anumang pagtatanong. Ni wala pa nga tayo sa period of debate," he said.

The lower House, Zarate said, railroaded the resolution for an alleged self-serving agenda, such as a possible no-election scenario in 2019.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi De Jesus also criticized the majority's decision.

"Pagka pinaandar na naman nila 'yung whip, ang kahulugan niyan may mga kapalit 'yan. Hindi pwedeng walang kapalit 'yan," she said.

Casilao said the results of Tuesday's session showed there is "martial law" in the legislative body.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Sarah Elago also denounced the abrupt approval of the concurrent resolution.

Any amendment to, or revision of, the constitution through a con-ass shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite, which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of such amendment or revision. The plebiscite shall be held by the Comelec.

2019 ELECTIONS

Meanwhile, Mercado previously walked back talk of term extensions, stating that they are amenable to still holding the May 2019 elections as scheduled under the new constitution.

In the 2019 elections, voters will be electing 12 senators at large and three per region. Incumbent senators whose terms expire in 2022 as they were elected in 2016 will still be part of the new Senate.

Under the new constitution, Mercado said the Senate will remain since the legislature will still have two chamber - the Senate and the new federal assembly.

Mercado admitted the new Constitution will vest the new federal assembly with more powers than the Senate, since the Prime Minister will be elected by the new assembly.

President Rodrigo Duterte, he said, can also run against for the highest elective position under the proposed Constitution.

However, he doubted the President will avail of the possibility.

"Talagang sinsero siya na pagbigyan lang siya sa federal form of government kasi so many things will be achieved like the problem in Mindanao. Di na raw siya tatakbo pag mapprove na itong constitution. Aalis na siya sa Malacañang," he said.