Press Release
July 28, 2008

GORDON: DON'T MONKEY AROUND WITH THE CONSTITUTION

"I reiterate my previous position. The Constitution is too precious for people to monkey around with without understanding it. I submit that the last two constitutions that we have made have not been thoroughly understood by the people. I am in favor of amending the constitution. I know what to amend in the constitution having been a former Constitutional Convention delegate and a lawyer at that."

Senator Richard Gordon has reiterated his position that he is in favor of the amendment of the 1987 Constitution, but not in the way other parties want it.

The topic of constitutional amendment was tackled in relation to the growing buzz about the postponement of the ARMM automated elections.

Gordon said, one of the reasons that he sees behind the proposal to postpone the August 11 ARMM polls is to open the issue of charter change again, which could allow the ARMM under a separate, federal system of government.

Gordon said he wants the constitution to be amended provided that it will be done according to the present charter and the people should have a say about it.

"We should also know what the people want, what is their position on the constitution? Are you for Parliament or are you for what? So that after the 2010 elections, the Senate, the Congress, now have a license from the people that they can amend the constitution and they know their positions."

"And one more thing, I am against what others say that the constitution should be amended by the Senate and the House of Representatives voting jointly. I am against that. That's a wrong interpretation of the Constitution. The two chambers of Congress should vote separately not jointly," Gordon said.

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