Rep. Ortega delivers the sponsorship speech of House Resolution 1109. He is also the chair of the committee on constitutional amendments.

Rep Zamora interpellation, asking why 200+ reps must be present. He asks why the measure is only a ‘resolution.’ How will this be ‘justiciable?’  Is this to see whether it will take only one house to change the constitution?

Zamora asks what happens if house passes this resolution? Rep Ortega responds “anything is possible.”

Zamora asks will Speaker Nograles call for a constituent assembly once the resolution passes? Ortega responds it is not for the committee chair to answer.

Zamora clarifies, it will only take a simple majority of the quorum, or 68 votes to amend the constitution.

6:37pm
In Rep. Zamora’s final comment he says, “I fear that we may be acting a little too cavalierly…a little too casually, in taking this first step toward amending the constitution of the Philippines.” He reiterates that a simple resolution, usually used to express condolences or congratulate individuals, is an “appropriate vehicle” to initiate such a serious process. A simple resolution – does not have the force of law.

6:49pm

In Rep. Golez’ interpellation,  he claims HR 1109 was not properly sponsored. Can Rep Ortega quote the part of the committee report where 1109 was specifically sponsored? Without a response, Rep Golez emphasizes the resolution was not submitted “normally” to the committee on constitutional amendments.  The resolution, he says, didn’t go through the benefit of discussion (in the committee level). “In fact there was no interpellation.”

Rep Ortega says “insignificant procedural matters” should not be an excuse to forgo debate on HR 1109. Golez retorts, “Congress is all about procedures.”He says the appropriate term, on how the resolution went through the legislative process, should be “bullet-train” not “railroad.”

7:10

Rep. Golez claims that the legal experts invited in the committee on constitutional amendments hearing (such as Prof. Mendoza, Dean Agabin, Prof. Sison, and Fr. Bernas) were mere “token” resource persons since their opinion, that the House and Senate vote separately on HR 1109,were not heeded. Rep. Ortega contests the use of the term “token.”

Finally Rep. Golez says the House’s records will reflect that “It took only a few seconds for the committee to deliberate…to act on 1109.”

7:54pm

Rep. Satur Ocampo now interpellating sponsor Rep. Barzaga. Ocampo’s line of questioning queries the need for changing the constitution.

Rep Ocampo expresses fear that there will be term extensions as a result of charter change. “This is a project of Malacanang,” he asserts.

“This is part of the Lakas-Kampi program…” Ocampo quotes Speaker Nograles in saying that this is part of Palaka’s program. “If this is a Palaka program, then it is a Gloria Macapagal Arroyo program,” he states.

Rep Teddy Casino says why are people outside not being allowed to come in? They’re being told the session is over.

Finally, a recess.

8:34pm

Liza Maza interpellation.

Rep Maza says no resource persons from marginalized sectors were invited in the committee hearings. The committee said this was because the representatives were already representing their districts.

Rep. Maza asked Barzaga to confirm that indeed the reason why these sectors were not included was because LGUs were already being consulted.

Rep Maza mentioned that according to an informal survey mentioned by Rep. Ortega earlier, majority of members of the house are in favor of charter change.

Questioning the extensiveness of consultations held by members of the House, Maza cites the record that only 66 congressional districts conducted consultations (not quite 1/3 of total). Also only 22 out 31 committee members submitted their consultation reports. Rep Maza doubts that representatives know what their constituents want!

HR 1109 has 171 signatories.

Rep. Maza asks why there is a rush to pass HR 1109? “Will the world disappear tomorrow?”

9:00pm

Rep Guingona now interpellating. The aim of this reso is “for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to remain in power indefinitely.” The resolution conditions were made with no intent to comply with them…to mislead people.

Rep Guingona is being told to shorten his questioning!

Rep Guingona says GMA has destroyed many institutions of the Philippine government. He ends his interpellation by saying “Now Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is poised to destroy the very heart of our republican system…our democracy…Have we no shame? Let us stop this farce immediately.”

Rep Dilangalen moves to close period of debate. Now calling for a vote!!!!

Rep. Custodio insists there hasn’t been enough consultations. She insists the sectors represented by Cibac and Akbayan have not been heard. “I believe in the rule of the majority…this is tyranny,” Custodio closes.

Rep. Baraquel manifests her objection to closing period of debate. She asks why Carp-er has been set aside in favor of HR 1109.

On point of order, Rep Colmenares says rules says motion to call for a vote is premature. Rep Colmenares pleads there be more consultations.

9:24pm

In manifesting his objection to the motion to close period of debate, Rep Walden Bello “respect rules of fair play.” Allow minority and majority to articulate their views! “Allow us to speak.”

Rep. Golez asks that the period of debate be allowed to continue.

Rep. Datumanong quickly calls for a vote to close period of debate. A resounding AYE is heard in the session hall.

9:59pm

After the brief suspension of the session…

Move to adopt HR 1109 called. Teddy Casino objected. Casino again questions the process by which the resolution was passed by the committee. Casino reiterates, this resolution opens the whole constitution to amendments. Claims the main agenda is for GMA to remain in power.

Rep. from Nueva Vizcaya cites rule that there should be a speech against the measure. So motion to call closing period of debates is out of order. “This is the worst congress in the annals of Philippine history,” he concludes.

Rep Rufus Rodriguez reiterates that  constitutional experts have said that there can be no way that only one house can amend the constitution.

More opposition reps are being allowed to manifest their objection.

10:22pm

Rep. Mariano asks, what will happen to HR 737 after HR1109 is passed? After this resolution is passed, is Congress now a parliament?

Rep Bello sasy “Was it right that we allowed the leadership to stampede us into this vote?”
Rep. Colmenares, also in manifesting his objection wonders hat kind of constitution will this congress fashion if there were no deliberations in the committee level and in the plenary. “When we vote for HR 1109, we are voting for President Arroyo to stay indefinitely.”

Rep. from Masbate: How can we push for allowing foreign-ownership of agri and non-agri lands as well as Carp-er?

10:52pm

Minority leader Rep. Zamora takes to the floor. “Can one house of a two-house legislature amend the constitution regardless of the number of people participating?”

Another Rep says there is no assurance that a gentleman’s agreement has been reached vis-à-vis HR 1109. Motives should not be suspect.

Rep Ocampo notes more and more reps trickled in just as call for vote was about to be made. did they receive “marching orders?”

Reps. De Venecia and Ilagan manifest their objection.

Rep Joson asks “What is happening to this country? What is happening to this Congress?” He also notes that “there are very few dissenting voices here…we can only hear the croaking chorus of frogs.”

Rep Delmar presiding notes 11 members have been allowed to speak in objection. 2 more will be allowed to speak, but only for 2.5 minutes.

Rep Palatino “What we’re about to do is worse than the Hayden Kho scandal…What we’re about to do could be described as the Conass or Congress scandal.”

After one other representative says his piece, the House votes in favor of adopting HR1109.

11:39pm

(photo credit: Photo credit: Gilbert Engay, MRS-PRIB / 02 June 2009 05:00:12 PM)

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