MANILA — The spokesperson of the body that drafted the proposed changes to the constitution on Sunday hit back at former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, who earlier criticized the draft charter.

Davide, a fierce critic of the Duterte administration's push to change the constitution and move to a federal system of government, was quoted on Saturday in the Philippine Star saying the draft charter was "anti-poor" and "anti-Filipino."

Ding Generoso, spokesman of the consultative committee (Con-Com), said in a statement that Davide's comments "betrays his confusion, lack of sincerity and lack of logic." 

Generoso said the ConCom draft mentions the right of the people to adequate food, decent housing, complete education, comprehensive healthcare, and livelihood and employment opportunities. 

He said these rights were meant for the poor, and they mandate the government to adopt measures and programs towards these rights. 

The ConCom spokesman also denied that the draft charter was anti-Filipino for not mentioning the West Philippine Sea. 

"The ConCom draft of Article I precisely defines and distinguishes sovereignty and sovereign rights," he said. 

Generoso said the ConCom added a section that states “sovereign rights over that maritime expanse beyond its territorial sea to the extent reserved to it by international law, as well as over its extended continental shelf.” 

This refers, he said, to the the UNCLOS or United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which grants the Philippines sovereign rights over its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

He also added that the ConCom draft has self-executory provisions banning political dynasties.

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