MANILA- The House of Representatives has invited the Senate to convene as a constituent assembly (con-ass) to revise the charter, a lawmaker said Tuesday.

“We invite the Senate to convene as a constituent assembly,” Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Albee Benitez said in a press conference.

“If the Senate will agree and we can convene, we’re ready,” he added.

The House, then under the leadership of its former Speaker, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, adopted in January this year a resolution to convene as a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.

• House adopts resolution to convene as con-ass to amend charter

Senators, however, said they will boycott a joint assembly where they would easily be outnumbered by the 292-strong chamber.

• Senate to boycott joint con-ass with House

Earlier this month, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said her chamber will wait for the Senate's move on their resolution to convene as a constituent assembly.

• Arroyo to wait for Senate move on con-ass

“We dont want to be clashing with our senators. We want to be able to rectify the issues,” Nueva Ecija Rep. Magnolia Antonino added.

Benitez also allayed fears of a no-election scenario next year, saying the 2019 midterm polls will push through as scheduled.

“We’d like to put to rest the scenario of 'no-el.' We will be working closely with the Senate and find common ground to push for the approval of a federal constitution,” he said.