Statement of Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on the House of Representative's plan to proceed with Charter Change without the Senate

"Charter change cannot be done by the House of Representatives alone. The House of Repesentatives cannot dance "cha-cha" without the Senate.

"The Constitution provides that Congress, upon a vote of three fourths of all its members, can amend the Constitution.

"The Constitution is crystal clear with regard to the composition of Congress. Under Article VI, Section 1, 'Congress of the Philippines' shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

"Thus, the House of Representatives alone cannot constitute themselves as a constituent assembly and by its own three fourths vote, cannot amend the Constitution. They cannot do it without the other house which is the Senate.

"The participation of the Senate is required by the Constitution and therefore necessary."