Deputy Speaker and National Unity Party (NUP) chairman Ronaldo Puno has called for a constitutional convention (Con-Con) to undertake a sweeping review of the 1987 Constitution and correct “enduring ambiguities” and deficiencies that weaken its legal foundations and undermine its reliability as the nation’s supreme law.
In a privilege speech, Puno described the Con-Con as “the most prudent, transparent, and participatory mechanism” to address vague provisions and institute needed reforms.
“While the provisions of our Constitution are noble in aspiration, certain provisions are marked by ambiguity and procedural deficiency,” Puno said.
“These deficiencies do not merely complicate interpretation; they obstruct reform, hinder effective governance, and erode public trust.”
Puno stressed his proposal “is not a call to discard the Constitution. It is a call to complete and correct it.”
The NUP, chaired by Puno, has 44 House members, making it the second-largest political party in the chamber, next to Lakas-CMD.
According to Puno, a Con-Con allows the people, “through their chosen delegates, to correct textual deficiencies, reconcile contradictions, remove ambiguities, institutionalize much-needed reform, and ensure that the foundational law meets the needs of a dynamic and democratic society.”
He said a Con-Con, unlike a constituent assembly, ensures “singularity of purpose,” freeing delegates from being distracted by lawmaking, oversight, and impeachment concerns. “Conflict of interest would be avoided, broader representation guaranteed, and the risk of political expediency reduced,” he added.
Puno cited several instances where ambiguous provisions weakened the Charter’s legal foundations, including:
Article XI, Section 3(4) on impeachment, where the meaning of “forthwith” became a source of deadlock and controversy;
Article VIII, Section 8 on the Judicial and Bar Council, which fails to clarify representation from a bicameral legislature;
Article VI, Section 28(4) and Article VII, Section 19, which leave unclear whether voting should be joint or separate; and
Article X, Section 8, which has allowed repeated postponements of barangay elections, eroding local democratic accountability.
“A Constitution that allows repeated legislative interference in electoral timelines, without limit, is a Constitution vulnerable to manipulation,” Puno warned.
The renewed push for Charter change comes amid political friction in the Senate over the issue.
Senate President Francis Escudero criticized Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III for saying he would consider supporting constitutional amendments if the Supreme Court upholds its ruling to junk the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte despite pending motions for reconsideration.
“Take it easy… you already sided with the impeachment pushed by the House of Representatives and Speaker Martin even if the Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional, and now you’re siding with the Charter change of the House and Speaker Romualdez as well!?” Escudero said in a post on X, ending with the hashtag “the Senate is not your playground.”
Sotto clarified he would only be supportive of Cha-cha if the SC ruling remains unchanged and the impeachment requirements it laid out are “impossible to meet.” In that case, he said, he would consider either a Constituent Assembly or a Con-Con “to rewrite Article XI of the Constitution.”
