House Speaker Alvarez: Draft EO para sa pagbuo ng constitutional commission naipasa na sa Palasyo. pic.twitter.com/ZlmLKOrtih

— robert mano (@robertmanodzmm) August 31, 2016

MANILA - A draft executive order (EO) for the creation of a 25-man Constitutional Commission (Con-Com) is awaiting the signature of President Duterte.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said he submitted Wednesday the draft EO that will task the Con-Com to aid the Constitutional assembly (Con-ass) in changing the Charter in favor of a federal form of government.

Alvarez said he hopes the President could approve the EO and appoint Con-Com commissioners this September.

The commission, he said, may start their work of proposing constitutional amendments by October.

Members of Congress may convene as the Con-ass and debate on the proposed changes after completing deliberations for the 2017 national budget, Alvarez said.

House speaker eyes charter change in 2017, mulls 'overhaul'

A nationwide information campaign on Charter change may be launched by 2018.

If things go according to the President's wishes, Alvarez said the new Constitution may be finalized in 2019 once it is approved by a majority of Filipino voters in a plebiscite.

New leaders of the federal government may be elected in 2022.