Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday urged the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo R. Duterte to take a “holistic approach” in amending the 1987 Constitution by not focusing only on the proposal changing the form of government from republican to federalism via Charter change (Cha-cha).
Belmonte, in a news conference, said certain economic revisions of the Constitution should also be considered in the next administration.
“If I’m asked one big thing that I wish I’d done [during the 16th Congress] that was it [passing of the economic Charter change]. Definitely, if they will push the Cha-cha through constitutional convention [Con-con] they should also consider other provisions, including the economic amendments that we are proposing,” Belmonte said.
The lower chamber, under the 16th Congress, did not push through with the expected voting on third and final reading of the economic Cha-cha, apparently, due to lack of affirmative votes. The chamber needs the vote of at least two-thirds of its membership, or 217 affirmative votes, to pass the Cha-cha measure.
The voting was seen affected by the Palace’s, particularly President Aquino’s, stance against Cha-cha.
“I hope this new administration will collate all of them [or the proposals changing the Constitution],” he added.
Returning PDP-Laban Rep. Pantaleon D. Alvarez of Davao del Norte, who is almost sure of being elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Duterte administration, said the House, under his leadership, will prioritize a measure changing the 1987 Constitution.
He said they will do the Cha-cha through a Con-con. Under the Constitution, amendments to the 1987 Charter could be introduced either of these three modes: through a duly-elected Con-con, Congress convening itself into a constituent assembly or a people’s initiative.
“Let’s take advantage of it…sa lakas ng moral demand, particularly in the initial years of his [Duterte] presidency, baka ma-sway ’yung mga tao ito lang yung ating gagawin [and not the Cha-cha for the purpose of lifting the term limits of public officials],” Belmonte added.
Earlier, Belmonte said he would refile his resolution, or the so-called economic Cha-cha, which seeks to amend the 60-40 rule that limits foreign ownership of certain activities in the Philippines. Several local and foreign business groups backed the passage of the measure in the 16th Congress.
He said the economic Cha-cha is a larger contributor to economic growth, as foreign direct investments are seen to increase once ownership on estates and corporations, one of the issues raised by investors for not investing in the country, is relaxed.
“By amending the restrictive economic provisions of our Constitution, we empower Congress to enact laws that will attract the kind of investments that will reverse the deindustrialization and deagriculturalization of our economy,” Belmonte said.
The resolution, filed by Belmonte and Sen. Ralph G. Recto, will include the phrase “unless provided by law” in the foreign-ownership provision of the Constitution, particularly land ownership, public utilities, natural resources, the media and advertising industries.
Under Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which was ratified during the term of the late President Corazon C. Aquino, foreign investors are prohibited to own more than 40 percent of real properties and businesses, while they are totally restricted to exploit natural resources and own any company in the media industry.
Meanwhile, Belmonte said he is now preparing to take the leadership of the House minority bloc in the next Congress.
He also vowed to be “responsible fiscalizer” under the Duterte administration and the 17th Congress.
Belmonte earlier said he would still join the speakership race in the next Congress, and would remain with the Liberal Party to lead the minority coalition.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza