House OKs vote on constitutional convention

The House of Representatives yesterday approved a resolution calling for a vote on whether to hold a constitutional convention.

The resolution, adopted by a vote of 9-8, proposes to submit the question of calling a constitutional convention to the voters this coming election. The resolution now heads to the Senate for concurrence.

Proponents of the resolution have said that it is more practical to hold a constitutional convention than to have voters decide separately on the many constitutional amendments proposed in the Legislature.

There are at least 25 legislative initiatives now pending in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Opponents of the resolutions have said a constitutional convention is untimely, given that the people voted against it only three years ago. It is also potentially expensive, they added. According to Rep. Victor Hocog, it would cost about $400,000.

The House members who voted in favor of the resolution are Reps. Edwin Aldan, Diego Benevente, Joseph Deleon Guerrero, Victor Hocog, Arnold Palacios, Raymond Palacios, Joseph Reyes, Edward Salas, and Ramon Tebuteb.

Those who opposed the resolution are Reps. David Apatang, Oscar Babauta, Joseph Camacho, Francisco Dela Cruz, Heinz Hofschneider, Tina Sablan, Stanley Torres Jr., and Ray Yumul.

Reps. Justo Quitugua, Rosemond Santos, and Ralph Anthony Torres were absent.

Sponsored by Santos, the resolution has been recommended for adoption by the House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

The committee, which is chaired by Santos, said the number of pending initiatives indicates the Constitution is in need of change.

“[A constitutional convention] will allow for greater discussion and thorough review of all proposed changes to the Constitution. The people will be better informed about each initiative through this deliberative process,” the committee said in a report.

“Amending the Constitution through legislative initiatives and popular initiatives is feasible when the proposed changes are nominal. However, with all the proposed changes being submitted, it would be more prudent and more beneficial to have representatives at a constitutional convention whose sole duty will be to focus on the Constitution amendments,” it added.

The Constitution states that the Legislature should submit the question of calling a constitutional convention to the voters every 10 years. The last constitutional convention was held in 1995.