Padilla pushes Con-Con

Sen. Robinhood Padilla. Photo from Senate Social Media Unit

SEN. Robinhood Padilla on Wednesday said he was in favor of amending both the economic and political provisions of the 1987 Constitution through a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

“Almost all the experts at today’s hearing said many provisions need to be amended simultaneously and not one provision at a time,” Padilla said, noting he would seek the counsel of former Finance secretaries Margarito Teves and Romulo Neri on how to make the Con-Con cost effective.

Padilla said he will file Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 8, the Senate’s version of Charter change, this week.

Both RBH 8 of the Senate and RBH 7 of the House of Representatives were limited to modifying the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. A hot topic during the hearing on Charter change was the extension of the terms of local officials from three to five years.

Interior Assistant Secretary Romeo Benitez said three years is too short to implement programs for a local government official, as his first year in office is considered a honeymoon period.

The second year, he added, is for serious work, while the third year is used to prepare for the next elections.

Sen. Francis Tolentino supported the extension of term of local government officials.

Tolentino, who was Tagaytay mayor for nine years, said the change is necessary for long-time gain.

“How long-term strategic planning and development is almost impossible, and how meaningful reforms are unceremoniously discontinued even before they take root and effect meaningful change,” Tolentino said.

“Much of these challenges are attributed to how far, too short, local chief executives stay in office to implement change at the grassroots. This is inimical to public interest and a hurdle to the continuity, stability, and consistency of public service,” he added.

Tolentino cited three reasons to support his stand: 1) local officials will leave a legacy as they immerse themselves in local challenges and forge stronger connections with the people; 2) an extension of the term can enhance accountability; and 3) it will result in greater competitiveness and efficiency in governance.