Former CJ Puno: Argument that Charter Change should be done via “cheap” method of Con-Ass is “cheap”

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno speaking upon the resumption of Senate hearings on Charter Change on Wednesday, January 17, 2018. /Meanne Corvera/ Eagle News Service/

(Eagle News) — The argument that the Constitution should be amended via a Constitutional Assembly on the basis that this was the “cheaper” method was “cheap.”

This is according to former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who spoke at the start of Senate hearings on Charter Change on Wednesday.

“A good Constitution is the best investment people can make,” Puno said.

According to Puno, the best method to amend the Constitution was a Constitutional Convention, under which delegates elected by the people vote on the changes in the Charter.

He ruled out sticking to the current 1987 Constitution, noting that this was done “in haste.”

“(Then-President Cory) Aquino did not want to rule under a freedom Constitution,” he said.