Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5070

Introduced by HON. ALETA C, SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE.
According to ARTICLE XVII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution:

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.

Our present Constitution is almost three decades old. Since the time it was passed, economic and
political winds have changed which makes some of its provisions anachronistic or even outright
economically not viable. One Constitutional issue now being questioned is the viability of
present economic provisions, which experts claim have been limiting our opportunities to realize
our potential as an economic powerhouse. A House Resolution authored by Speaker Sonny
Belmonte is pending, seeking to review these provisions. Notice that our mining industry is still
on hold and has stagnated in the last four years due to the absence of a clear and consistent
policy due to constitutional questions. Another issue that demands a review vis-a-vis the
National Charter is the “Bangsa Moro Law”, which several constitutional experts and political
analysts have already noted to have several provisions that may be in contravention to those of
the 1987 Constitution,

Instead of addressing the abovementioned issues piecemeal, we should take advantage of the call

of the times to update the Constitution in a holistic and comprehensive manner. In view of the

foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

eZ
feta C. St
presentative

3rd District, Quezon Province


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5070

House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. ALETA C. SUAREZ

AN ACT CALLING FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Composition. The Constitutional Convention shall be composed of members
who shall be elected from every legislative district of the Philippines.

Section 2. Election of Delegates. The election of delegates to the Convention shall be
held on the second Monday of May 2016.

Section 3. Who May Convene. The Chairman of the Comelec, with the concurrence of the
Secretary General of the House of Representatives and the Senate Secretary, shall initially take
charge of all arrangements for the convening of the Constitutional Convention.

Section 4. Commencement of Convention. The Convention shall commence at the Session
Hall of the House of Representatives on the first Monday of July following the election of the
delegates.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside at the opening until a Presiding
Officer is elected by the Convention among its delegates. The Convention shall be deemed
organized upon the election of the Convention President and Presiding Officer, which shall be
the first order of business.

Section 5. Convention Report. The Convention shall submit its report to the President and
the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, and the Commission on Elections within 30 days

from its completion of the amendments or revision of the Constitution.


Section 6. Ratification. The amendments to, or revision of, thie Consitution.as proposed
by the Convention shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite
which shall be held simultaneously with the May 2019 National elections.

Section 7. Appropriation. The amount needed to initially implement the provisions of this
‘Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the COMELEC. Thereafter, such sums
as may be needed for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
‘Appropriations Act.

Section 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15 days) after its complete

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved