Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio sounded the alarm over potential constitutional revisions that could grant unchecked powers to lawmakers. According to Carpio, the House of Representatives’ pursuit of a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution is akin to seeking a ‘blank check.’ This move, he argued, would allow Congress to unilaterally alter the country’s charter without necessary safeguards or oversight.
Carpio’s warning comes amidst ongoing efforts by lawmakers to gather signatures for the people’s initiative, which aims to reduce the Senate’s vote share in constitutional amendments. The retired justice emphasized that such a move would undermine the Constitution’s balance of powers and potentially lead to abuse of authority.
As a vocal advocate for judicial independence and constitutional integrity, Carpio has been a prominent voice in Philippine legal discourse. His concerns about the potential consequences of unchecked congressional power underscore the need for careful consideration and debate on constitutional revisions.