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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In most parts of the world, a constitution is considered the most fundamental law 
of the land where the authority of the government emanates and the sentiments of the 
people in terms of policies are codified. It is vital that a constitution is periodically 
updated and dynamic so it can keep abreast with the needs of both the present and 
future generations. 
The 1987 Philippine Constitution was ratified by the people through a plebiscite 
on February 2, 1987. It has been 36 years since its adoption and several developments 
in our society and the global arena happened. The passage of time and the present 
social and economic realities render its certain parts less responsive to our people’s 
needs. 
It has been pointed-out time and again that the 1987 Philippine Constitution 
contains numerous restrictions against the flow of foreign capital in specific areas of 
economic activities. In particular, the Constitution prevents foreign nationals to own 
land, exploit and utilize natural resources, own public utilities, and own more than forty 
percent (40%) of the shares of a corporation in crucial sectors such as education and 
construction. These restrictions, according to research, have been found to hamper 
economic growth, dilute the competitiveness among the country’s industries, and 
ultimately stunt national development over the years.  
The restrictions on foreign ownership are designed to prioritize Filipino citizens. 
However, it is noted that the country sorely lacks the requisite capital to boost our 
economy and develop our natural resources. It is high time to liberalize such 
restrictions in order to encourage the free flow of capital in the country and pave the 
way to global competitiveness. This will greatly aid our economy as we navigate our 
way out of the devastating effects of the pandemic. As it stands today, the Philippines 
is one of the few remaining countries in Asia that maintain restrictions and limitations 
on foreign ownership in certain industries that are crucial to the country’s development. 
While our vigilance to protect and prioritize the Filipino citizens remain, our 
policies must evolve in order for the country to continually progress and remain 
competitive globally. Thus, changes to the 1987 Constitution are indispensable. 
January 26, 2023
12:00 pm
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The current Constitution provides for three (3) modes to which an amendment or 
revision can proceed, specifically through Constitutional Assembly, Constitutional 
Convention, or People’s Initiative.  
It may be argued that the People’s Initiative is the most democratic process, 
however, this mode is only limited to amendments, and not to revisions of the 
Constitution. On the other hand, a Constitutional Assembly authorizes all incumbent 
members of Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution. This mechanism 
has been unpopular to most people because of possible conflict of interest of the 
members.  
The Constitutional Convention addresses both of the concerns associated with 
People’s Initiative and the Constitutional Assembly. The members of the Constitutional 
Convention will be specifically elected for the sole purpose of reforming the present 
constitution. Although this mode is more expensive, the advantages of reforming the 
current Constitution through a Constitutional Convention far outweighs the cost. 
Thus, it is proposed that the amendments to the 1987 Constitution shall be 
through a Constitutional Convention wherein the members will be elected by the 
people and shall not hold any other office. This ensures that national interest will 
prevail over personal interests. Delegates are elected based on their knowledge and 
qualifications with the objective of amending or revising the Constitution. It is to be 
noted that previous amendments and revisions of our constitutions were achieved in 
1971 and in 1986 through a Constitutional Convention. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
RON P. SALO   
 KABAYAN Party List 


 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo 
AN ACT  
CONSTITUTING A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO AMEND THE 1987 
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION, DEFINING QUALIFICATIONS FOR ITS 
DELEGATES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Constitutional 
Convention Act of 2023.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – The State shall ensure that an amendment 
or a revision of the Constitution shall be made genuinely inclusive and participatory by 
ensuring the active participation of Filipinos in every phase of the process. The State 
shall provide the voters not only sufficient time but ample basis for an intelligent 
appraisal of the nature, specific and extent of any proposed amendments or revision 
as well as its relation to other parts of the Constitution with which it has to form a 
harmonious whole. 
SEC. 3. Powers and Functions. – The Constitutional Convention once 
convened, becomes endowed with extraordinary powers generally beyond the control 
of any departments and agencies of the government, subject to the provisions of this 
Act. Its primary function is to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution for 
ratification of the electorate. 
Specifically, the Constitutional Convention shall have the power to: 
a) Promulgate its own rules of procedure;
b) Elect and appoint its own officers;
c) Determine and organize its own committees and sub-committees;
d) Provide for its own schedule or calendar of business;
e) Conduct public hearings in connection with proposed amendments or
revisions to the 1987 Constitution;
f)
Require the involvement and attendance of resource persons in hearings,
discussions, and other activities that may benefit from their expertise and
knowledge;
g) Subpoena documents and persons;
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h) Cite for contempt persons in violation of its orders;  
i) Adopt and use a seal to denote its identity and authority; and 
j) Such other powers necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.  
 
SEC. 4. Date of Election for Constitutional Convention Delegates. – There 
shall be an election of delegates to a Constitutional Convention on the third (3rd) 
Monday of January of the year Two Thousand Twenty-Four (2024). The Commission 
on Elections shall within thirty (30) days from the enactment of this Act, promulgate 
the rules and regulations necessary for the fair and efficient election of the delegates 
to the Constitutional Convention consistent with Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, otherwise 
known as the Omnibus Election Code, as amended, and other election laws.  
 
SEC. 5. Composition of the Constitutional Convention. – The Constitutional 
Convention shall be composed of not more than Three Hundred Ten (310) members. 
They shall include one (1) delegate from every legislative district and the remaining 
seats shall be allocated to the party-list system of registered national, regional, and 
sectoral parties or organizations. 
 
During the canvassing of votes in the election, all party-lists shall be ranked 
from highest to lowest based on the number of votes garnered. Starting from the 
highest and in descending order, each party-list shall be entitled to one delegate until 
all seats are allocated.  
 
SEC. 6. Participation of the Party-list System. – Registered national, 
regional, and sectoral parties or organizations intending to participate in the election 
of delegates of the Constitutional Convention shall file with the Commission on 
Elections their manifestation of intent to participate.  
 
In the event that the election of delegates for the Constitutional Convention will 
be scheduled and held on the same date as the general election, the party-lists may, 
at their option, submit only one (1) list of nominees for both elections; Provided that, 
in cases where the party-list decides to submit only one (1) list of nominees for both 
elections and are proclaimed as a winner in both, the first (1st) nominee, and the 
second (2nd) and third (3rd) nominees when entitled, shall assume the seat as 
representative of the party-list at the House of Representatives. Thereafter, the 
subsequent nominee shall assume the seat of a delegate at the Constitutional 
Convention. 
  
The Committees and Sub-Committees that may be created by the 
Constitutional Convention shall ensure proportional representation of delegates from 
the party-list system.  
 
SEC. 7. Term of the Constitutional Convention. – The Constitutional 
Convention shall, within forty-five (45) days from the date of election for Constitutional 
Convention Delegates, formally convene, organize its affairs, and jointly take their oath 
in accordance with Sec. 13 of this Act. It shall propose, deliberate, approve, and submit 
for ratification the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution within twenty-four 
(24) months from the date the Constitutional Convention is deemed convened. 
 


 
 
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The Constitutional Convention shall finally adjourn upon the submission to the 
COMELEC of its proposal for ratification of the proposed amendments to the 1987 
Constitution. It shall be deemed terminated upon the final adjournment.  
 
SEC. 8. Qualifications. – No person shall be elected a delegate to, or to 
represent a party-list in, 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, and a qualified voter. Provided, that all delegates shall be college degree-
holders and shall have sufficient knowledge and background on governance, 
economics, banking and finance, law, education, health, medicine, science and 
technology, social sciences, arts and humanities, or any other fields of study.  
  
SEC. 9. Disqualifications. – The following are disqualified from being a 
candidate for the election of delegates of the Constitution:  
 
Any person who has been  declared by competent authority as insane or 
incompetent, or has been sentenced by final  judgment for subversion, insurrection, 
rebellion, terrorism, or for any offense for which he has been  sentenced to a penalty 
of more that eighteen (18) months or for a crime involving moral turpitude,  shall be 
disqualified to be a candidate for the Constitutional Convention, unless he has been 
given  plenary pardon or granted amnesty. 
 
Persons who have been dismissed or dishonorably discharged from service 
shall also be disqualified.  
 
SEC. 10. Persons Holding Office. – Any person holding a public office or 
position, whether elective or appointive, including members of the armed forces and 
officers and employees of corporations or enterprises owned and/or controlled by the 
government, are not disqualified but shall be considered resigned upon the filing of 
their certificate of candidacy. 
 
SEC. 11. 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 not 
terminated without forfeiting his seat in the Constitutional Convention. 
 
SEC. 12. Compensation of Delegates of the Constitutional Convention. – 
The Delegates of the Constitutional Convention shall be entitled to the same salary, 
benefits, privileges, and emoluments as those of the members of the House of 
Representatives. 
 
SEC. 13. 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. I shall endeavor to 


 
 
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complete the work of the Constitutional Convention within the period 
provided by law. I undertake 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 I swear to preserve and 
defend the duly ratified Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. So 
help me God.” 
  
SEC. 14. Administrative Support and Technical Assistance. – The 
Constitutional Convention shall have its own secretariat that shall assist the 
convention in its day-to-day activities. The secretariat shall also render administrative 
and technical support as required. 
 
Further, the individual delegates shall be assisted by administrative and 
technical staff. The number of staff for each delegate shall be determined by the 
Constitutional Convention and approved by the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM) but shall not be more than that provided to current members of 
the House of Representatives. 
  
Provided further, that 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 property thereof as can, in their judgment, 
be spared without detriment to the public services, without cost, refund or additional 
pay. 
 
SEC. 15. 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 provision of this Act. 
 
SEC. 16. Who May Convene. – (1) The Chairman of the Commission of 
Elections, assisted by the Secretaries of the 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 organized upon the election and qualification of a 
Chairman and presiding officer. The Convention shall choose such other officers, as 
it may deem necessary. 
 
SEC. 17. Rules and Quorum. –   
 
(1) A majority of all delegates shall constitute a quorum to do business, but 
smaller number may meet, adjourn from day to day, and compel the 
attendance of absent delegates in such a 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 


 
 
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behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all delegates 
suspends or expel a delegate. A penalty of suspension shall not exceed 
thirty (30) 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 of the Philippines.   
 
(4) The Convention shall conduct public hearings, in groups or committees, to 
ensure that the Filipino people will have adequate and sustained 
participation in the formulation of proposed amendments to the 
Constitution. 
 
(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 the convention 
formally convenes. The rules shall be approved by majority vote of all 
elected delegates. 
 
SEC. 18. Ratification. – The amendments to or revision of, the Constitution 
proposed by the Constitutional Convention shall be valid when ratified by a majority of 
the votes cast in a plebiscite which may be held simultaneous with the national and 
local election or not earlier than sixty (60) days nor later than ninety (90) days after the 
approval of such amendments or revision, whichever comes first. 
 
SEC. 19. Parliamentary Immunities. – A delegate of 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 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. 
 
SEC. 20. Place of the Convention. – The Constitutional Convention shall have 
its principal office in Metro Manila, and shall hold its first convention anywhere thereat. 
Thereafter, it may hold its convention or hearings, including that of its committees or 
sub-committees, anywhere in the Philippines.  
 
SEC. 21. Appropriations. – For the implementation of this Act, the amount of 
Two Billion Pesos (Php 2,000,000,000.00) shall be appropriated to the Constitutional 
Convention. This whole amount shall be made available to the Constitutional 
Convention in a timely manner.  
   
SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Chairman of the 
Commission on Elections, the Secretary of the Department of Budget and 
Management, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, the Solicitor-General, a law 
faculty member and two (2) former members of the 1986 Constitutional Convention of 
proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence, in consultation with the 


 
 
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Secretaries of the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of this Act within thirty (30) days from 
approval of this Act. The law faculty member and the two (2) former members of the 
1986 Constitutional Convention shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines.  
 
SEC. 23. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain valid. 
 
SEC. 24. Repealing Clause. – All act, executive orders, administrative orders, 
decrees, proclamations, rules and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SEC. 25. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.   
 
Approved.