Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XVII of the Philippine Constitution provides: 
Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may 
be proposed by: 
(1)
The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members;
or
(2)
a constitutional convention
Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly
proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve 
per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every 
legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the 
registered voters therein. No amendment under this section shall be 
authorized within five years following the ratification of this Constitution 
nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. 
The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise 
of this right. 
Section 3. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its 
members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its 
Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a 
convention. 
Section 3, Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution provides for two alternative modes of 
calling for a constitutional convention, to wit: 
Call for a constitutional convention by Congress upon a vote of two-thirds of all its 
Members or to submit to the electorate the question of calling a constitutional 
convention upon a majority vote of the Members of Congress. 
September 19, 2022
9:55 am
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It is herein proposed that the first option be adopted by Congress, i.e. call for a 
Constitutional Convention by two-thirds (2/3) of the vote of all the Members of 
Congress. 
The movement towards charter change has always been relevant. However, calls for 
genuine constitutional reforms have taken a backseat because of perceived 
controversies and allegations of corruption in previous administrations. Filipinos, 
meanwhile, take severe punishment from corruption, high prices, inequitable 
distribution of income, and a lopsided playing field when it comes to foreign 
investments. Thus, while it is a given that the present charter needs to go through the 
process of revision, this should be done with much deliberation and in a transparent 
and trustworthy atmosphere. 
Calling for a Constitutional Convention, the delegates of which shall be elected by the 
people simultaneously with the next Barangay or National elections, is a measure that 
is intended to be more transparent and less conflict-ridden. The convention is 
mandated, through a process of public hearings and deliberations, to submit the 
proposed charter change for the people's ratification which shall be held not earlier 
than sixty (60) days nor later than ninety (90) days after approval of the 
amendments/revisions, and the same shall be valid only when ratified by a majority of 
the votes cast. 
It is important that constitutional reforms be completed through a transparent process 
that ensures the participation by the nation at large. In keeping with the sovereign 
mandate of the people, the new Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines should 
be truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino nation, and not of a select 
few. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CONSTITUTING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO AMEND THE 1987 
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION, DEFINING QUALIFICATIONS FOR ITS 
DELEGATES WHO SHALL BE ELECTED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE 
BARANGAY OR NATIONAL ELECTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR ITS 
OPERATIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES  
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Constitutional Convention 
Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall ensure that in the revision or 
amendment of the Constitution, the time honored fundamental principles and 
blessings of democracy including but not limited to the following: protection of human 
rights, promotion of social justice, separation of powers, grant of autonomy and self-
determination to the regions, good governance and public accountability, shall be 
enhanced and better protected. 
SECTION 3. Powers and functions. – The Constitutional Convention shall exercise 
its power to revise or amend the 1987 Constitution pursuant to Section 2 of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Date of election of Constitutional Convention Delegates. – There 
shall be an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention simultaneous with the 
holding of the next Barangay or National Elections. The Commission on Elections shall 
within thirty (30) days from the enactment of this Act, promulgate the rules and 
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regulations necessary for the elections of the delegates to the Constitutional 
Convention. 
 
SECTION 5. Composition and term of the Constitutional Convention. – The 
Constitutional Convention shall be composed of one (1) delegate from every legislative 
district. The drafting of the amended or revised Constitution by the delegates of the 
Constitutional Convention shall be completed within a period not exceeding two (2) 
years after the effectivity of its rules. No extension of the term of the Constitutional 
Convention shall be allowed. The death or incapacity of an elected delegate shall not 
be a ground for the holding of a special election or for the delay of the proceedings of 
the Convention. 
 
SECTION 6. Funding. – An initial appropriation of Three Hundred Million Pesos 
(P300,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the start-up of program. Thereafter, the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall submit a recommendation to 
Congress for the budgetary requirements of this Act as specified in Section 16 hereof. 
 
SECTION 7. Qualifications. – No person shall be elected a delegate of the 
Constitutional Convention unless he is a natural born citizen of the Philippines and, on 
the day of the election, is at least twenty-five (25) years of age, a qualified voter, of 
recognized probity, nationalism and patriotism. 
 
SECTION 8. Disqualifications. – The following are disqualified from being a 
candidate for the election of delegates of the Constitutional Convention: 
 
All incumbent elected officials of the government, including but not limited to the 
President, Vice-president, Members of the Congress, and local government officials. 
 
Any person who has been declared by competent authority as insane or incompetent, 
or has been sentenced by final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion or for 
any offense for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than eighteen (18) 
months or for a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be disqualified to be a candidate 
for the Constitutional Convention, nor allowed to sit as a delegate of the Constitutional 
Convention, unless he has been given plenary pardon or granted amnesty. 


 
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SECTION 9. Future disqualifications. – Any person elected as a delegate of the 
Constitutional Convention shall not be eligible to run for any public office or position in 
the first national and first local elections to be held after the ratification of the new 
Constitution. Further, no elected delegate of the Constitutional Convention shall be 
appointed to any public office or position while the Constitutional Convention is in 
session and within a period of one (1) year after the plebiscite for the revised or 
amended Constitution. 
 
SECTION 10. Oath of the delegates. – Delegates of the Constitutional Convention 
shall qualify and assume office by taking the following oath or affirmation: 
 
“I, (name of delegate), do solemnly swear and affirm that I shall faithfully and 
conscientiously fulfill my duties as Delegate of the Constitutional Convention by 
drafting a fundamental law truly reflective of the ideals and aspirations of the Filipino 
people, endeavor to complete the work of the Constitutional Convention within the 
period provided by law, not to run for any office in the first local and national elections 
to be held after the ratification of the Constitution that the Constitutional Convention 
will propose, and preserve and defend the duly ratified Constitution of the Republic of 
the Philippines. So help me God.” 
 
SECTION 11. Administrative Support and Technical Assistance. – All government 
entities, agencies and instrumentalities, including the Senate and House of 
Representatives, shall place at the disposal of the Convention such personnel, 
premises, and furniture thereof as can, in their judgment, be spared without detriment 
to the public service, without cost, refund or additional pay. 
 
SECTION 12. No restraining order or preliminary injunction. – Except for the 
Supreme Court, no court of the Philippines shall have jurisdiction to issue any 
restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction against the Constitutional Convention 
in any case or dispute arising from or necessary to the application and enforcement of 
the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 13. Who May Convene. – 


 
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(1) 
The chairman of the Commission on Elections, assisted by the Secretaries 
General of Senate and the House of Representatives, shall take charge of all 
arrangements for the convening of the Constitutional Convention; 
 
(2) 
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
shall jointly preside at its opening session until a presiding officer is elected by the 
Convention from the delegates. The election of a chairman and presiding officer from 
among the delegates shall be the first order of business. The Convention shall be 
deemed organize upon the election and qualification of a chairman and presiding 
officer. The Convention shall choose such other officers, as it may deem necessary. 
 
SECTION 14. Rules and Quorum. – 
 
(1) 
A majority of all delegates shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a 
smaller number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of 
absent delegates in such manner and under such penalties as the Convention may 
provide. 
 
(2) 
The Convention may determine the rules for the effective and efficient conduct 
of its purpose and proceedings, punish delegates for disorderly behavior, and with the 
concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all delegates suspend or expel a delegate. A penalty 
of suspension shall not exceed sixty (60) days. 
 
(3) 
The plenary sessions of the Convention, including the meetings of its 
committee, shall be public and duly recorded. It may hold its session in any place in 
the Philippines. 
 
(4) 
The Convention shall conduct public hearings to ensure that the Filipino people 
will have adequate and sustained participation in the formulation of proposed 
amendments to the Constitution. 
 


 
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(5) 
The Convention shall keep a Journal of its proceedings and from time to time 
publish the same. The public shall have full access to the records of proceedings of 
the Convention. 
 
The rules of the Constitutional Convention must be completed by the delegates of the 
Constitutional Convention within a period of thirty (30) days from the time the 
delegates take their oath. The rules shall be approved by a majority vote of all the 
elected delegates. 
 
SECTION 15. Parliamentary Immunities. – A delegate of the Constitutional 
Convention shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six (6) years 
imprisonment, be privileged from arrest during attendance of its session, and in going 
to and returning from the same. Further, a delegate of the Constitutional Convention 
shall not be questioned nor be held in any other place for any speech or debate in the 
Constitutional Convention, in any committee thereof, or in any public hearing 
conducted by the Constitutional Convention or any committee thereof whenever held. 
 
SECTION 16. Appropriations. – For the implementation of this Act, the amount of 
Two Billion Pesos (P2,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated to the Constitutional 
Convention. This whole amount shall be made available to the Constitutional 
Convention in a timely manner. Each delegate of the Constitutional Convention shall 
receive a per diem of not less than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) for every day of 
attendance in the Constitutional Convention or of any of its committees, and, to 
necessary traveling expenses to and from his residence when attending the sessions 
of the Constitutional Convention or of its committees. Every delegate to the 
Constitutional Convention shall be allowed to hire the necessary technical and 
administrative staff or personnel to serve during the duration of the Constitutional 
Convention unless sooner terminated at the discretion of the delegate. 
 
SECTION 17. Ratification. – The amendments to or revision of, the Constitution 
proposed by the Convention shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast 
in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60) days nor later than ninety 
(90) days after the approval of such amendments or revision. 
 


 
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SECTION 18. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,