Arroyo wants the House to "work hand in hand" with the Senate for federalism

Alfredo Benitez, Representative of the 3rd District Negros Occidental and Magnolia Antonino, Representative of the 4th District of Nueva Ecija, made this statement. Tuesday, July 31, after meeting the former president who is currently the second representative of Pampanga District

"We will work closely with the Senate and find a common ground to advance the "We will work hand-in-hand with them," said Benitez, relaying what Arroyo told them when they met.

"And we invite the Senate to meet in a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) so that we can take the first step"

The House has already approved the joint resolution asking both houses of Congress to to bring together in one Con-Ass, one of the three means of amending the 1987 Constitution. The joint resolution, however, remains pending at the level of the committee in the Senate.

Article 17, section 1 of the Constitution of 1987 states that Congress may propose an amendment or revision of the charter on a vote of 3/4 of all its members.The Constitution, however, is silent on how to vote.

When he was still president of the House, Alvarez previously said that the House would pass through a con-ass even without the Senate.At the time, senators strongly opposed the joint vote on the change of the charter. (READ: Senators to leave if Con-Ass pushed in co session njointe)

The insistence of Alvarez to convene the Con-Ass without the Senate was considered one of the reasons why lawmakers became dissatisfied with his leadership, although mayor of Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio would also have persuaded lawmakers to oust him. (READ OUT: The women behind the fall of Alvarez)

If Senators still refuse to summon Con-Ass, Benitez said that Arroyo's allies were willing to sit down with them. senators to find a compromise. the same approach for other legislative priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte, that Arroyo also wants to pass.

"We are anxiously waiting for the House to continue as if nothing had happened." In fact, at our caucus the other day, she expressly stated that she did not want any delay in the work of the House, and we will work with Seante to advance the priority legislation, "said Antonino.

Duterte had long advocated a shift to federalism, which he said accelerated development outside Metro Manila

The Advisory Committee had already submitted the draft federal charter to Congress, which could choose to adopt or to reject the proposed constitution. 19659007] Arroyo denied accusations that his election as president was a prelude to his rise as prime minister under a modified charter. – Rappler.com