Puno wants to defend draft charter in Congress | ABS-CBN
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Puno wants to defend draft charter in Congress
Puno wants to defend draft charter in Congress
Christian V. Esguerra,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 20, 2018 01:51 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 20, 2018 01:56 PM PHT
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MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte’s drafting committee is looking to eventually defend its proposed federal constitution before Congress, its chairman said Tuesday, amid concerns legislators might reject its recommendations.
MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte’s drafting committee is looking to eventually defend its proposed federal constitution before Congress, its chairman said Tuesday, amid concerns legislators might reject its recommendations.
The committee has agreed to ban political dynasties up to the level of grandparents and grandchildren, a proposal expected to face strong opposition in an legislature dominated by such families.
The committee has agreed to ban political dynasties up to the level of grandparents and grandchildren, a proposal expected to face strong opposition in an legislature dominated by such families.
Its chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, described the prohibition as a "sine qua non" for any federal shift to prevent dynasties from taking advantage of the new system of government.
Its chairman, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, described the prohibition as a "sine qua non" for any federal shift to prevent dynasties from taking advantage of the new system of government.
"Right now, you have this power already cornered by political dynasties," he told reporters.
"Right now, you have this power already cornered by political dynasties," he told reporters.
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"If you federalize, you will not only be giving them these powers, but you will be giving them what is equivalent to sovereign powers. So how can you do that without first regulating or prohibiting political dynasties?"
"If you federalize, you will not only be giving them these powers, but you will be giving them what is equivalent to sovereign powers. So how can you do that without first regulating or prohibiting political dynasties?"
Puno: Anti-political dynasty provision sine qua non of federal shift pic.twitter.com/Jq9ixTjq3D
— Christian Esguerra (@IanEsguerra) March 20, 2018
Puno: Anti-political dynasty provision sine qua non of federal shift pic.twitter.com/Jq9ixTjq3D
— Christian Esguerra (@IanEsguerra) March 20, 2018
A draft federal constitution is expected to be submitted for the President’s endorsement in his annual national address in July, following a nationwide public consultation.
A draft federal constitution is expected to be submitted for the President’s endorsement in his annual national address in July, following a nationwide public consultation.
"Our intention is to appear before both houses of Congress when we have finished this draft of this new constitution," Puno said.
"Our intention is to appear before both houses of Congress when we have finished this draft of this new constitution," Puno said.
"If they wish, they can call on us and we shall be defending the draft of the constitution that we have prepared."
"If they wish, they can call on us and we shall be defending the draft of the constitution that we have prepared."
The House of Representatives has agreed to review the 1987 constitution by convening as a constituent assembly. But senators have yet to decide on whether the charter needs changes now.
The House of Representatives has agreed to review the 1987 constitution by convening as a constituent assembly. But senators have yet to decide on whether the charter needs changes now.
NO PROPHET
The constitution prohibits political dynasties, but left it to Congress to provide the details in an enabling law.
The constitution prohibits political dynasties, but left it to Congress to provide the details in an enabling law.
Last week, Puno’s committee agreed on a self-executing provision banning dynasties —meaning congressional action will no longer be needed — up to the second civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.
Last week, Puno’s committee agreed on a self-executing provision banning dynasties —meaning congressional action will no longer be needed — up to the second civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.
"What Congress failed or refused to do in 31 years, the consultative completed in 4 days," said committee spokesman Ding Generoso.
"What Congress failed or refused to do in 31 years, the consultative completed in 4 days," said committee spokesman Ding Generoso.
Several congressmen have spoken against any anti-political dynasty provision.
Several congressmen have spoken against any anti-political dynasty provision.
Even the President, whose family has ruled Davao City for decades, is said to be cool to the idea of such a ban, on the belief that the choice should ultimately be left to voters.
Even the President, whose family has ruled Davao City for decades, is said to be cool to the idea of such a ban, on the belief that the choice should ultimately be left to voters.
Asked if he would withdraw support from a federal charter that might end up being diluted in a constituent assembly, Puno said: "At this point, I don’t see myself playing the role of a prophet."
Asked if he would withdraw support from a federal charter that might end up being diluted in a constituent assembly, Puno said: "At this point, I don’t see myself playing the role of a prophet."
Under the committee proposal, relatives up to the second civil degree will not be allowed to succeed an incumbent elective official in the next election.
Under the committee proposal, relatives up to the second civil degree will not be allowed to succeed an incumbent elective official in the next election.
They also can run simultaneously only for one national and one regional or local position.
They also can run simultaneously only for one national and one regional or local position.
EQUALIZATION FUND
National positions will be limited to that of the president and the vice president because the committee agreed that senators will be voted by region or state.
National positions will be limited to that of the president and the vice president because the committee agreed that senators will be voted by region or state.
"You may consider it a sweeping anti-political dynasty provision if you consider the implications on the ground," Generoso said.
"You may consider it a sweeping anti-political dynasty provision if you consider the implications on the ground," Generoso said.
Another major item in the agenda is the creation of states, which would depend largely on fiscal or economic viability.
Another major item in the agenda is the creation of states, which would depend largely on fiscal or economic viability.
Experts believe only 3 to 4 regions are capable of into transforming into full-fledged federal states at this time.
Experts believe only 3 to 4 regions are capable of into transforming into full-fledged federal states at this time.
Poor regions will require support through greater revenue allotments and a so-called "equalization fund" pooled from wealthier states.
Poor regions will require support through greater revenue allotments and a so-called "equalization fund" pooled from wealthier states.
"This is one of the more difficult parts... determining how many states or regions should be formed. Based on fiscal data, how many will be viable and sustainable? This requires a lot of study," said Puno, who floated the idea of an "evolving" federalism.
"This is one of the more difficult parts... determining how many states or regions should be formed. Based on fiscal data, how many will be viable and sustainable? This requires a lot of study," said Puno, who floated the idea of an "evolving" federalism.
Under this proposal, provinces grouped into regions will have to meet certain requirements before being classified as states.
Under this proposal, provinces grouped into regions will have to meet certain requirements before being classified as states.
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