House panel to hold second public hearing on Cha-cha

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 5) — The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments will hold its second public hearing on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution or “charter change” on Monday, Feb. 6.

While the guest list for the hearing has not yet been disclosed, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, the panel chairperson, said representatives from civil society groups, the academe, business groups and government agencies will be invited to the public hearings.

Legal luminaries, including retired Supreme Court justices and framers of the 1987 Constitution, attended the first hearing last Jan. 26 to give their opinion on charter change.

Economists were also invited to weigh in on the proposal to ease the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.

The two groups were divided on whether or not the time was right to amend the Constitution.

WATCH: Legal experts, economists divided on Charter Change

At least 11 bills and resolutions pertaining to charter change have been filed in the House so far.

Some of the proposals call for a constituent assembly to propose the amendments, while others suggest holding a constituent convention with delegates to be elected by the public.

RELATED: Solon wants to form Constitutional Convention to amend 1987 Constitution

After the public hearings in the House, Rodriguez said consultations would be held in different parts of the country to determine how people feel about charter change.