Heated debates are expected at the House of Representatives on Tuesday when the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments begins its deliberations on a resolution seeking to amend the economic provisions of the 1997 Constitution. Legislators opposed to any move to tinker with the constitution are expected to clash with allies of President Aquino.
Party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis said congressmen opposed to the move expect a showdown as farmers and peasant advocates raise strong opposition to “Mr. Aquino’s Charter change that allows the wholesale sell-out of our national patrimony and economic sovereignty.”
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, meanwhile, said there is no truth to an allegation raised by Party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño that the Liberal Party had connived with the US government and Manila-based US businessmen to amend the economic provisions of the Constitutions to favor the latter. The militant legislator’s allegation, he said during a Palace briefing had been “obviously” provided by a “polluted source.”
“What has come out very strongly in this particular office, in the Office of the President and the President himself is that there is no priority to amend the Constitution whether it is limited to economic provisions. That position has been affirmed strongly by the President,” Lacierda said.
Mariano also said efforts to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution will be met with actions by various sectors, especially peasants who are strongly opposed to foreign ownership of lands that will authorize wanton land grabbing, land-use conversion and vast plunder of agricultural lands by foreign big businesses.
“Wherever, whoever is the source of Teddy Casiño must have been dreaming. So check his sources,” Lacierda advised Casiño when asked about the alleged connivance. He noted that the Aquino administration had repeatedly stressed “very strongly” that Charter change is not among its priorities. Casiño had alleged that Mr. Aquino’s political party had connived with Washington and the American Chamber of Commerce in crafting the move to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Charter, to favor US businessmen in the country.
The committee will deliberate House Concurrent Resolution 10 that proposes the removal of the 60-40 percent equity limitation on foreign investors, removing the control and management exclusively by Filipinos in companies with foreign equities, expanding the role of foreign investors in the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources, allowing foreign ownership of industrial lands, liberalize media by allowing foreign investments among mass media entities, liberalizing the practice of profession in accordance with the principle of reciprocity, liberalizing investments in educational institutions by allowing foreign investments in tertiary education and extending the 25 years plus 25 years land-lease agreement.
“These proposals are unacceptable. Amending the economic provisions of the Constitution will further denationalize and trample upon our economic sovereignty and will lead to a deeper economic crisis. Removing the remaining ‘protectionist provisions’ of the Constitution will not benefit majority of Filipinos who are advocating for social change and national development through genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization,” said Mariano, also head of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Mariano also slammed Mr. Aquino for his inaction on his allies’ constant groundwork in pushing for Charter change in Congress that reveals the government’s true pro-Cha-cha intent.
“Whether [Mr.] Aquino admits it, Charter change is a major agenda of his administration, as directed by the US government as well as other foreign powers and businesses,” said Mariano.
