Anything Under the Sun
Congress mode of voting
The next issue in Charter Change is: How will Congress vote in approving Constitutional proposals?
On this score, the Constitution provides for "three fourths of all members of Congress." One school interprets this as both houses of Congress voting as one single body in the same sessions. Hence, the three fourths of the vote shall be determined by the total number of the members in both houses - House of Representatives and the House of the Senate.
It sticks to the literal provision of the fundamental law reasoning that if the Constitution intends separate voting, then it must have said so.
Under this mode, it is easier to approve the proposals.
Another school, however, maintains that the two houses shall vote separately - meaning that the lower house shall approve the proposed amendments by three fourths of its membership and the Senate shall likewise approve the same by also three-fourths of its membership in a separate session.
It maintains that if a mere ordinary bill requires the voting of the two houses separately, how much more the proposals to amend the Constitution which are more important and of more lasting consequence to the country.
Under this mode, it is difficult to approve the proposals. Because - it is expected that the Senate may disapprove the proposals like adoption of the unicameral system thus abolishing the House of the Senate.
It is also expected that this issue will reach the Supreme Court. And - let us see.
***
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - The first set of Booklets (Books 1 to 5) of West Visayas Beautiful and Wonderful authored by this writer is now available at P500. Please call up Tel. No. 337-3045.