Ten members of the minority bloc criticized a privilege speech due to its video presentation regarding an alleged plan to amend the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) to extend the term of elected government officials.
A senator immediately stood up to have the video presentation stricken from the Senate record because of unparliamentary language contained within it.
According to the senator, the video was opinionated and most of its content was fake news because he does not agree with amending the Constitution. He also said the minority bloc opposes Charter change, contrary to what was claimed.
“Are we turning into Inday Badiday here in the Senate?” the senator asked.
In the privilege speech, a video was presented where a former Senate President and a House Speaker allegedly had a meeting to discuss Con-ass and term extension. The video also claimed that senators supported this.
The former Senate President admitted that he and the House Speaker did meet at a casino-hotel, but their discussion about Con-ass was not serious and was just a joke. He said the main topic of the group was golf.
“I wish they had asked their source if I agreed,” the former Senate President said, adding that another senator was present at the meeting.
That senator also spoke because it appeared that he was the source of what was said in the video. He said he recently had lunch with a person and recounted the joke about Con-ass.
“If it were serious, I wouldn’t have shared it because it’s sensitive,” the senator stressed.
Another senator considered the video presentation as ‘hao shao’ (a term meaning something like ‘nonsense’ or ‘junk’).
Another senator opposed the deletion of the video presentation, but the presenter herself moved to have it removed from the Senate record.
Senate
The Senate is a key legislative body in many governments, most notably the United States Senate, which was established in 1789 as part of the U.S. Congress. It was designed to provide equal representation for each state, with two senators per state, and serves as a check on the House of Representatives. The Senate has played a crucial role in American history, from debating landmark legislation to confirming presidential appointments and trying impeachments.
Constituent Assembly (Con-ass)
The Constituent Assembly, often abbreviated as “Con-ass,” refers to a legislative body convened to draft or revise a constitution. In the Philippines, the term is historically linked to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, which produced the 1973 Constitution during the Marcos era. This assembly played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political framework, though its work was later superseded by the 1987 Constitution.
Constitution
“Constitution” typically refers to the **Constitution of the United States**, the foundational legal document of the U.S. government, drafted in 1787 during the Philadelphia Convention and ratified in 1788. It established the framework for the federal government, including the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Constitution remains the supreme law of the land and has been amended 27 times, most notably with the Bill of Rights ensuring individual liberties.
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Constituent Assembly
The Constituent Assembly is a key legislative body formed to draft and adopt a nation’s constitution, often emerging during periods of major political transition, such as after independence or revolution. Historically notable examples include India’s Constituent Assembly, which met from 1946 to 1950 to create its constitution, and the Russian Constituent Assembly of 1918, which was dissolved by the Bolsheviks. These assemblies represent foundational moments in a country’s legal and political development.
Senate
The Senate is a key legislative body in many governments, most notably the United States Senate, which was established in 1789 as part of the bicameral Congress. It was designed to provide equal representation for each state, with two senators per state, and has played a central role in shaping U.S. law and policy. The Senate’s history includes landmark debates, such as those over civil rights and presidential impeachments, reflecting its enduring influence in American governance.
Constitution
The Constitution of the United States, drafted in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, is the supreme law of the land. It established the framework for the federal government and guaranteed fundamental rights, replacing the weaker Articles of Confederation. Ratified in 1788, it remains one of the world’s oldest and most influential written constitutions.
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791. It was drafted by James Madison in response to Anti-Federalist concerns about the new federal government’s potential to infringe on individual liberties. These amendments guarantee fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as protections against unreasonable searches and cruel punishment.
