Sotto: I will move for adjournment if Con-ass pushed during SONA

MANILA – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday warned that he would immediately adjourn the joint session of Congress on the part of the Senate if a move is made to convene the legislature into a constituent assembly (Con-ass) during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a brief interview with reporters prior to the opening of the third regular session of the 17th Congress, Sotto stressed that convening Congress into a Con-ass is not possible.

“That is not possible because it is not part of the resolution that we will agree on today. If you notice, the resolution that we will be passing is to hear the address of the President. So there is no other business that can be done there,” he said.

Both chambers of Congress are expected to pass a resolution convening a joint session of Congress to listen to the President’s annual SONA later in the day.

“If ever that happens, I will adjourn the session on the part of the Senate,” Sotto stressed.

A ranking lawmaker from the House of Representatives has said that there could be a possibility of convening a Con-ass if the Senate and the House would pass separate resolutions constituting Congress as a constituent assembly.

But Sotto said that could not be done because “that would be completely, not only unconstitutional, but illegal.”

“We are convened to listen to the address of the President, for that purpose alone. ‘Pag ginawa nila ‘yun, I will adjourn the session on the part of the Senate and no one can stop me,” Sotto said. (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)

Popular

PBBM orders free train rides for commuters as Labor Day tribute

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In recognition of the workers’ dedication and sacrifices towards contributing to the economic progress and growth of the nation, President Ferdinand...

PBBM rallies new cops: Let the people feel presence of law

By Brian Campued “Let our people feel your presence, feel the presence of the law enforcers, feel the presence of the law.” Such was the reminder...

‘Bente Bigas Mo’: P20/kg rice in Kadiwa stores starting May 2 — D.A.

By Brian Campued In pursuance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of making affordable rice accessible to more Filipinos across the country, the Department...

PBBM extends condolences, solidarity over tragic Lapu-Lapu Day Incident in Vancouver, Canada

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Lapu-Lapu Day is a celebration held on the 27th of April in honor of the Visayan chieftain who defeated Spanish forces...