Press Release - Sen. Robin Heartened by Former Chief Justice's Remarks on Cha-Cha Petition

Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla is heartened by the remarks of former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban on the petition he filed before the Supreme Court last week, asking the High Court to resolve whether both houses should vote jointly or separately in discussing amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Panganiban, in his column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, cited Padilla for his "patriotic intentions" and for confronting the Supreme Court with "a puzzlement that may set precedents in both substantive and procedural law."

The former Chief Justice noted that while Padilla's petition is "befuddled by at least three difficult remedial law problems," he "deeply admire(s) the patriotic intentions" of the senator.

Also, he said it is his humble opinion that the High Court should not simply dismiss Padilla's petition considering the "transcendental issue raised by Padilla."

Padilla thanked Panganiban for his "kind words," which he said will inspire him to argue his case before the Supreme Court.

"Tanging inspirasyon ko ang mga sinabi ng ating mahal na dating Chief Justice (The words of our beloved former Chief Justice will be my inspiration)," he said.

Last Aug. 5, Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, filed an instant petition seeking declaratory relief regarding Sections 1 and 3 of Art. XVII of the Constitution.

The instant petition sought the High Court's "authoritative declaration" on the following constitutional issues:

* Whether or not the Senate and House of Representatives should jointly convene, as a constituent assembly when proposing amendments to, or revisions of, the Constitution under Sec. 1(1), Art. XVII of the Constitution;

* When voting jointly, should the requirement of 3/4 vote under Sec. 1(1) be treated as 3/4 vote by the Senate plus 3/4 vote by the House; or 3/4 by the 24 senators with all members of the House of Representatives;

* Whether the Senate and House should jointly convene and assemble when voting for calling a Constitutional Convention and/or submitting to the electorate the question of calling such a convention;

* When voting jointly, if the requirements of 2/3 vote under Sec. 3,