VP Robredo welcomes consultative group on charter change

VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor G. Robredo, whose position could be dissolved with a shift to a federal form of government, has welcomed the consultative commission created by President Rodrigo R. Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution. “Very welcome na development ito,” Ms. Robredo said during her weekly radio program BISErbisyong Leni, adding that the formation of the group eases concerns and the impression that the proposed charter change is being rushed by the administration. Ms. Robredo also said that open and public discussions, such as the Senate hearing last Jan. 18, would help form the people’s decision when the proposal is put to a referendum. The consultative committee, created on Jan. 25, is headed by former chief justice Reynato S. Puno and is composed of 18 members who are justices, lawyers, and political science experts. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz