Marcos open to Con-Con if It closes charter loopholes — Palace
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President will wait for the details before making a definitive position but will not oppose changes that strengthen the Charter.
'Kung ito naman po ay ikagaganda at ikaliliwanag para hindi na mabutasan ang anumang mga probisyon dito sa Constitution ay hindi naman po ito tututulan ng Pangulo,' Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Her remarks followed calls from Antipolo City Rep. and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno to convene a Con-con, which he described as the 'most prudent, transparent, and participatory mechanism' for Charter change. Under the process, the public elects delegates to propose amendments, which must then be ratified in a plebiscite.
Puno cited provisions that he said suffer from ambiguity, including Article 11, Section 3.4 on the Accountability of Public Officials. The provision states that if at least one-third of House members endorse an impeachment complaint, 'trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.' He argued that the term forthwith has been repeatedly delayed, sidestepped, or reinterpreted by the Senate, as seen in the impeachment case against the Vice President transmitted on February 5.
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