ABANG Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano said that he voted for Charter Change (Cha-Cha) through a Constituent Assembly (con-ass) because people on the ground especially those in the provinces want it.
Paduano pointed out that all Negros congressmen voted for the passage of House Concurrent Resolution No. 9 for con-ass and that they want the form of government changed to federal because they see the advantage of the devolution of the local government units.
He added that the Congress is not railroading the Charter Change because it has been presented and deliberated since last year by the four different committees.
About the resistance of the Senate for con-ass that they will vote jointly for the revisions in the Constitution, Paduano said that some senators are protecting their own interests.
“They are protecting something. Majority or about 80 percent of the incumbent congressmen are sure of re-election in the 2019 elections, if it pushes through,” Paduano said.
He added that in case there will be state senators in the federal form of government, they are willing to push and support Third District Rep. Alfredo Benitez for a regional senate seat.
