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The Senate is divided on the issue of canceling or postponing mid-term elections next year to pave the way for the introduction of federalism in the Philippines.
Malacañang, however, is firm on holding the mid-term elections. Constitution "
" As long as the date of the elections, as provided for in our Constitution, remains unchanged, President Duterte will implement this and the 2019 elections will continue, "said presidential spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday. Roque was referring to Section 8, Article VI of the 1987 Constitution, which states that the election of Senators and members of the House of Representatives will be held on the second Monday of May every three years.
The idea of Alvarez
President Pantaleon Alvarez, the right arm of President Duterte in the House, told reporters Wednesday that it was difficult for him to say whether the half session would be held next year, that things depend on the choice of priority: the elections or the proposed change to federalism by constitutional amendments.
He said that it could be "practical" to postpone the electi to facilitate change in federalism.
Roque stated that the elections could be canceled only if the proposed Federal Charter was ratified earlier, in which case the 1987 Constitution would have no more legal effect.
"But if there is not yet a new Constitution, the President will ensure that there is an election," After questioning the suggestion of Alvarez On Wednesday, citing the constitutional provision setting the date of congressional elections, Senate Speaker Vicente Sotto III said Thursday that it was possible to pass a law to defer deadlines. "
] Sotto noted that the provision included the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law."
"I stand corrected"
The phrase means that it does not mean There is no need for a "Law of both Houses of Congress may be able to postpone the elections, so I am corrected," Sotto told reporters after receiving the draft Federal Charter.
Congress had time to discuss proposed changes to the Constitution or whether to postpone
But Senator Francis Escudero said that Congress did not have the power to postpone elections with a simple law.
"I believe you can not legislate because it is clear in the Constitution that the term of a member of Congress lasts for three years and that there should be elections every three years" said Mr. Escudero. in a news forum in the Senate.
Sen. Grace Poe, in a television interview, said that she believed that the Senate would reject the cancellation of the elections.
The people should not accept it either, said Poe
"We can not really have an election … the Constitution.Even though they do not have it. amend in the …. House, she would still need the approval of the Senate, "she said.
& # 39; Farcical & # 39;
Sen. Risa Hontiveros also gave up delaying the deadlines to allow Congress to focus on the amendment of the Constitution, calling "foolish" attempts to change federalism.
Hontiveros said that there were more important issues that deserved the attention of lawmakers. as the Tax Reform Act for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) is now blamed on rising commodity prices.
"Instead of promoting narrow political interests like prolonging public warrants by an unnecessary postponement of elections, Congress must She said that opposition in the House said Thursday that Alvarez's suggestion to postpone the elections demonstrated the real motive of the effort to amend the Constitution
. "Extension of term This is a reward for members of Congress who will support the shift (towards federalism). of Magdalo, Gary Alejano, who had announced his intention to run for the Senate next year, said in a Twitter post
that the representative of ACT teachers, Antonio Tinio, made echo this remark. "Useful in so far as it reveals the selfish motives of the defenders of Duterte's will to change the Charter." – WITH THE REPORTS OF JULIE M. AURELIO AND VINCE F. NONATO [19659024] Do not miss the latest news and information. 
