Angara: Cha-cha hearings can help public prepare for plebiscite

 MANILA — Senate hearings on charter change are a good opportunity for the public to learn about proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution so they can make more informed decisions when they have to vote on it, Sen. Sonny Angara said Sunday.

Although a constitutional convention or constituent assembly can deliberate on and vote on proposed amendments, these will still need to be ratified by voters in a plebiscite.

"Maririnig nila ang mga opinyon at pananaw ng mga legal at economic experts, and these will help voters form their own views about the need to amend our Constitution," Angara, who has been chairing hearings on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, said.

Experts clash on Senate's economic Cha-cha proposals

The deliberations are streamed on the Senate's YouTube channel.

Angara said that it would be helpful for voters to follow the hearings and "familiarize themselves with the pros and cons of amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, as they may have to vote on these changes that could have a direct impact on their lives."

He added members of the public can send his office an email for their own input on proposals to relax economic provisions in the charter.

Angara has said he expects deliberations on RBH6 to wrap up by October and that the proposed amendments could ratified in a plebiscite alongside the 2025 elections.

House leaders say Senate 'sitting on' charter change

Members of the House have accused the Senate of "sitting on" the charter change proposals and have pointed at an earlier commitment from Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri to have senators decide on RBH6 in March.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said he is afraid that lawmakers will be too busy planning for reelection campaigns to deliberate on the proposal for charter change come October.

"We would want to fast track it. Kung puwede, ngayon na," he said, adding the House already adopted a resolution for a constitutional convention that is also pending at the Senate.

He also challenged senators to declare this early whether they are for or against charter change.