House begins Con-Ass, Con-Con deliberationsThe House Committee on Constitutional Amendments is set to begin today its deliberations on proposals calling for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) and Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) as a mode of amending the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal system of government. Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, panel chairman said they will initially tackle the more than 10 Cha-cha measures this afternoon. Since the House will go on a Halloween break starting Oct. 19, they will resume their Cha-cha hearings on Nov.15 to 16, and continue onNov. Former Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte urged the House panel to also give due attention to his resolution seeking to amend the antiquated economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Belmonte’s economic Cha-cha resolution seeks to lift the 40 percent limit on foreign ownership of public utilities, land, andmedia.

Source: Manila Bulletin October 11, 2016 16:07 UTC