Transcript of Ambush Interview of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon

Q: On the proposed constitutional commission

DRILON: There are only two modes of amending the constitution. Either by electing delegates to a constitutional convention, or congress acting as a constituent assembly, commonly known as con-con and con-ass, respectively. The proposed constitutional commission is only a study group, which will submit to congress the proposed amendments that the president would like to see. When I was still chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments, I think early this year or late last year I was informed by the executive secretary that they were preparing the appointments of the members of the constitutional commission, which will draft the recommended amendments. Up to now we have not been informed that there has already been a formal amendment. The constitutional commission executive order has already been signed, I think, six months ago. I have not heard anyone has been appointed. But having said that, ang concom ay magbibigay lamang ng rekomendasyon nila sa kongreso. Ang mag-aamyenda ng saligang batas ay ang kongreso acting as con-ass, or yung constitutional convention. Handa kaming tanggapain kung anuman ang rekomendasyon ng pangulo at aming pagdedebatehan at aming pagdedebatehan kung ano ba talaga ang best mode ng pag-amend ng constitution, whether by con-ass or con-com.

Q: Doon sa naging hearing ninyo, ano ba ang nagging sentiment?

DRILON: Wala pa, napalitan kasi ako.

Q: Mas mahabang proseso po kung concom muna?

DRILON: Walang kapangyarihan ang concom na mag-amend ng saligang batas. Ang may kapangyarhian ay ang kongreso sa pamamagitan ng con-ass o sa pamamagitan ng con-com kung saan ang mga delegaado ay ihahalal.

Q: Recommendatory lang?

DRILON: Ang concom, kung kanilang mabubuo, ay recommendatory lamang, parang study group at isusumite nila sa kongreso ang kanilang proposal?

Q: Kailangan pa ba ng concom considering sa house at senate maraming legal experts?

DRILON: Hindi natin mapipigilan ang karapatan ng kahit sinoman pati na ang pangulo na magbigay ng rekomendasyon sa kongreso.

Q: While waiting doon sa studies ng concom, pwedeng matuloy ang hearing?

DRILON: Nasa komite iyon, pwedeng ituloy.

Q: Mayroong dalawang kongresista na nag-file ng bill cha-cha thru con-ass?

DRILON: Kasama iyan sa na-hear ko noon. Ano ba ang pinakamabuting paraang sa pagbabago ng constitution? Una, kailangan bang baguhin? Ano ang pinakamaayos na paraan? Uulitin ko, ang sinasabi nilang concom ay recommendatory lamang.

Q: Is it about time na pag-usapan na?

DRILON: Iyan na nga ang una kong tanong: do we need to amend the constitution? If no, obviously nothing will happen. If the answer is yes, what is the mode of amendment?

Q: From your own point of view, kailangan na po?

DRILON: I have not finalized my position on whether to amend.