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Lawmakers urge caution on ConCon question
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Posted on Oct 19 2005
Lawmakers are calling on voters to seriously consider the issue before deciding on the Constitutional Convention question that appears on the Nov. 5, 2005 election ballot.
Rep. Ramon Tebuteb said that he would not support holding a Constitutional Convention for practical reasons.
“There are obvious reasons we should not do it. There are other avenues we can take to amend the Constitution; they are simpler processes but they can accomplish the same thing. On top of that, it’s going to be a costly process and it is especially so, given the financial situation we’re in,” Tebuteb said.
Changes to the Constitution could also be made through two other means: a legislative initiative or a popular initiative. Either process requires ratification by the voters, but not the creation of another legislative body.
Rep. Arnold Palacios said that, while he did not have a categorical position on the ConCon, he would ask the voters to be mindful of the Commonwealth’s experience with the 3rd Constitutional Convention.
“There were so many amendments, but none of them got ratified. We cannot just have a Concon for the sake of having one. It is also a process that is very costly,” Palacios said.
For his part, House leadership spokesman Charles Reyes said that the group of Speaker Benigno Fitial had not taken a public position on the ConCon.
“I believe that he [Fitial] is ready to let the voters decide on that question. The Covenant Party itself has not openly taken a position on the question of the ConCon,” Reyes said.
But John Rosario, chairman of the committee handling Fitial and Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez’s gubernatorial bid, had reportedly announced his personal position on the issue.
“He has expressed skepticism about the prudence of holding another Constitutional Convention in view of the declining resources that we’re encountering. But that’s his personal position and it does not necessarily reflect the speaker’s position or the party’s position,” Reyes said.
“There are pros and cons, and voters just have to take the arguments and make a decision themselves,” he added.
