Con-Ass to amend charter mulled – Palace Exec

MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Ernie Abella in a statement said members of the National Security Council (NSC), led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, are considering the possibility of a shift from Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) as a mode to amend the 1986 constitution.

The NSC composed of 35 leader-members from the executive and legislative branches of government met on Wednesday in Malacañang palace to discuss various issues facing the country.

Abella said NSC members also tackled the peace road map that included a more comprehensive representation of Bangsamoro entities and also addressed the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People’s Army (CPP-NDF-NPA), and rebel groups like the Cordillera Peoples’ Liberation Army situations.

Other issues discussed were the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, a shift to federalism and the West Philippine Sea (WPS) situation.

Abella considered Wednesday’s NSC meeting as “historic” with President Duterte and former presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno S. Aquino III gathered in an “extraordinary show of good will and unity” to discuss defense and security issues facing the nation.