Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte voted “No” to the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 calling for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) that would propose amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
The House of Representatives approved the measure on third and final reading on Monday.
Rep. Duterte clarified that he is not opposing RBH No. 6, however, he believes it’s not timely as there are more significant things in the country needed to be prioritized.
“This is to express our irresolution with the immediate approval of RBH No. 6. To reiterate, we are not in opposition against the said measure per se, but we suppose that it is not timely, our country is facing more pressing social and economic issues, like inflation and poverty among others, that we need to prioritize. Billions to be allocated for a Constitutional Convention could be allocated instead to other programs intended to improve the living conditions of thousands of Filipino families,” Rep. Pulong said in a statement.
The said resolution is authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., and House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair and Cagayan de Oro City Second District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
The selection of Con-Con delegates in the Barangay and SK Elections this October 30, 2023, will take place at the same time as the Senate and the House vote for the proposal.
The delegation will be composed of appointed and elected representatives from all Con-Con legislative districts.
