THE PROPOSED constitutional amendment would only give the economy more flexibility to accommodate more investors.
During the Pakighinabi about the proposed Charter Change of the 1987 Philippine Constitution last May 24 at the Bapa Benny Tudtud Auditorium, Ateneo de Davao University, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said they have no political motive since their only goal is for economic liberalization.
“Clearly, there [are] no political amendments. No talk about federalism, no talk about a federal system changing our unitary system, no talk about a parliamentary system changing our form of government,” Rodriguez said.
“We are against any lifting of limits, that we have three terms, and that’s it,” the House charter change proponent argued.
According to the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 02, the proposed amendment added the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in some sections in Articles XII, XIV, and XVI of the Constitution.
The effect of this amendment is to lift the “restrictive economic provisions in the Philippine Constitution which hamper the flow of foreign capital investments.”
Rodriguez also said that most people want economic amendments because they understand the country needs more jobs for its citizens.
As per the Philippine Statistics Authority, the unemployment rate in January this year increased to 4.8% from 4.3% in December 2022.
According to a report by the Philippine News Agency last March 9, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that higher quality jobs should be generated to continue the improving trend in the job market.
“But I offer, unless under the very law, so that merely the legislature can meet the exigencies of the times. So, in 2023, this year, if they are able to have a, yeah, give them all the provisions in the constitution, the economic provisions, we will have employed already, 2023, 550,942 employment,” Rodriguez said.
RBH No. 02 was adopted on the third reading on June 1, 2021, with a voting result of 251 in favor, 21 against, and two abstentions.
Consequently, the House adopted RBH No. 06 on the third reading last March 14, which calls for a constitutional convention to amend or revise the Constitution, with a voting result of 311 in favor, seven against, and zero abstention.
According to Rodriguez, the Resolution and Bill are being transmitted to the Senate.
