Creation of a Consultative Commission to Propose the Revision of the 1987 Constitution

August 19, 2005

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 453

CREATING A CONSULTATIVE COMMISSION TO PROPOSE THE REVISION OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION IN CONSULTATION WITH VARIOUS SECTORS OF SOCIETY

WHEREAS, our present political and economic systems need structural reforms to respond to inward and global changes to make them relevant and competitive; cSDHEC

WHEREAS, applying the appropriate solutions to our chronic political, economic and cultural problems depends, to a large extent, on effective and accountable political institutions, a decentralized government that is more responsive and accountable to the people and allows them to participate effectively in its decisions and the making of social and economic policies;

WHEREAS, Constitutional reform is a public commitment the President made in 2003-2004, subsequently incorporated in the Medium Term Public Investment Program, 2005-2010, which she deems to be of the highest priority as stated in her State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2005;

WHEREAS, there is a need to bring the great charter debate to the people and involve them in the study and formulation of amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Creation and Mandate. — There is hereby created a Consultative Commission which shall conduct consultations and studies and propose amendments and revisions to the 1987 Constitution, principally the proposals to shift from the presidential-unitary system to a parliamentary-federal system of government, to refocus economic policies in the Constitution to match the country's vision for global competitiveness, and to review economic policies which tend to hinder the country's global competitiveness and adversely affect the people's welfare.

For this purpose, the Consultative Commission shall review existing and new Constitutional reform proposals and hold nationwide consultations with various sectors of society, such as farmers, fishermen, workers, students, lawyers, professionals, business, military, academic, ethnic, and other similar groups, including the different leagues of Local Government Units and members of Congress and the Judiciary.

SECTION 2. Composition. — The Consultative Commission shall be composed of not more than fifty (50) members representing the national, regional and sectoral constituencies, who shall be appointed by the President.

The national representatives shall, in addition to the qualifications hereinafter provided, be men or women of national standing, experienced in government or with recognized competence in their respective fields.

The regional representatives are to be apportioned among the different regions.

Sectoral representatives shall be chosen from, among other sectors, farmers, fishermen, workers, students, lawyers, professionals, business, military, academic, ethnic, and other similar groups.

SECTION 3. Nominations. — Nominations of members of the Consultative Commission may be made by concerned groups or individuals.

All nominations shall be submitted to the Office of the President not later than August 31, 2005. HTSaEC

Nominations must be in writing and accompanied by the following supporting documents, namely: (a) curriculum vitae of the nominee; (b) an indication of whether the nomination is for a national, regional or sectoral representative; (c) an endorsement by the nominating group or individual; (d) a certification by the nominee that he/she will accept appointment to the Commission, and (e) other materials that may aid the appointing authority.

SECTION 4. Qualifications. — No person shall be appointed member of the Consultative Commission unless he is a citizen of the Philippines, a qualified voter, of recognized probity, competence, honesty and patriotism.

SECTION 5. Organization and Proceedings. —

The Executive Secretary shall preside at the initial meeting until the Consultative Commission elects a Chairman to head and preside over its meetings, conferences and other proceedings. The election of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and other officers from among its members shall be the first order of business at the opening session.

The plenary sessions of the Consultative Commission shall be public and duly recorded.

The Consultative Commission and its committees may hold its session in any place in the Philippines.

The Consultative Commission and its committees shall conduct public hearings to ensure wide public participation in the formulation of proposed amendments and revisions to the Constitution.

The Consultative Commission shall provide for other rules of its proceedings.

SECTION 6. Technical and Staff Support. — The Presidential Management Staff ("PMS") shall assist in establishing a Secretariat for the technical and staff support of the Consultative Commission. For this purpose, the PMS is hereby authorized to ask for the detail of any personnel from any government office to assist the Consultative Commission.

Upon request of the Chairman of the Consultative Commission, the PMS and other government entities, agencies and instrumentalities shall make available such necessary and useful information and documents and suitable premises, equipment and furniture for use of the Consultative Commission.

SECTION 7. Appropriation. — The initial amount of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the operational expenses of the Consultative Commission to be sourced from available funds, subject to usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

SECTION 8. Time Frame. — The Consultative Commission shall commence its work before September 10, 2005 and shall endeavor to complete the same before December 15, 2005. The Consultative Commission shall present to the President its report and proposed revision of the 1987 Constitution for proper transmittal to Congress.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Executive Order shall take effect immediately. DAcSIC

DONE in the City of Manila, this 19th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Five.