House passes bill amending 1987 Constitution

December 12, 2018

Voting 224 against 22 and three abstentions, the House of  Representatives Tuesday approved on third and final reading a proposal amending the 1987 Constitution that also lift the term limits of legislators and local officials.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Resolution of Both Houses No. 15, or the draft federal Charter, hurdled the House.

RBH No. 15 is pushing for a presidential-bicameral-federal system of government and empowers Congress to establish federal states by convening Congress into a constituent assembly (Con-Ass).

Arroyo said she had nothing to do with the absence of the anti-dynasty provision on the proposal.

RBH No. 15 was amended to return the vice president in the line of succession to the presidency.

The House of Representatives said convening Congress into an assembly and voting separately is necessary because it will shorten the time needed for Charter change.

The president and vice president will be elected with each other to serve four-year terms, subject to one reelection, the proposal said.

For members of Congress, the proposal mandates they should be holders of college degrees and will  serve four-year terms.

The measure said the first election under the proposed Constitution will be held on the second Monday of May 2022. DMS