Sotto wants groups seeking government ouster remove from ‘PLS’

FOLLOWING a “suggestion” from Pres. Duterte for Congress to “remove” or “change” the ‘partylist system’ (PLS) in the 1987 Constitution to exclude further participation by the so-called, ‘Makabayan Bloc’ in Congress, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, announced he has filed a bill in support of the Executive Branch’s position.

In a ‘zoom press conference’ last January 6, 2021, Sotto, also bared that their discussion with Pres. Duterte on the issue occurred as far back as November 2020, with the President also suggesting for the convening of a ‘constituent assembly’ for the purpose.

Sotto quoted Pres. Duterte as describing the bloc as “sympathizers or connected with”  the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), classified as a ‘terrorist organization’ not only by the Philippines but other countries as well.

Aside from removing or changing the PLS, Sotto said their discussion also touched on amending the Constitution’s economic provisions.

In a constituent assembly (Con-Ass), members of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall convene and decide on constitutional amendments themselves.

Con-Ass is different from a ‘constitutional convention’  (Con-con) which requires nationwide elections to select delegates who will draft the amendments or a ‘constitutional commission’ (Con-Com) whose members are appointed by the Philippine President.

But Sotto believes that thru his proposal, the President’s concern can be properly addressed without the need for Congress to amend the Constitution.

This, he said, can be done, by clarifying the standards and qualifications for those seeking to become members of the Legislature thru the PLS by limiting them to the country’s “marginalized sectors.”

He added a provision would be added whereby those “working for the ouster of the government cannot be qualified.”

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is already hearing a government petition seeking the disqualification of the ‘Gabriela Women’s Party’ (Gabriela), for supporting the terror campaign of the CPP-NPA to bring down the government (see related story in this issue).

Gabriela is a member of the Makabayan Bloc in Congress represented by Rep. Arlene Brosas. The entire group is being accused by the government as being ‘front organizations’ of the CPP.

Noticeably, only the Makabayan Bloc and other CPP front organizations protested the inclusion of the CPP-NPA in the list of terrorist organizations in the country drawn up by the ‘Anti-Terrorism Council.’

Sotto further opined that such groups can never be classified as “representing the marginalized sectors.”

And as the issue of amending the Constitution heats up, Sotto also disabuse the speculation that Malacañang is pushing for charter amendments in order to extend the term of office of Pres. Duterte.

Sotto stressed the issue of term extension for the President never cropped up during their discussion.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the Philippine President is limited to a single term of 6 years.