Lawmakers should stick with economic amendments and not term extensions when they will insist on Charter change, former Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr. said Monday.
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“’Yan kailangang kalingan talaga (It is really needed),” he said during an interview over CNN Philippines regarding the amendments in the economic provisions of the Constitution.
“I think ‘yung economic provisions natin ay naapektuhan ‘yung ating economic growth (I think our economic provisions are affecting our economic growth),” the former Vice President explained.
Binay lamented that current economic provisions have restrictions against the involvement of foreigners in the country’s economy.
“Kasi nakalagay sa Constitution natin ‘yung limitation or regulation of foreigners in economic activities in the country lalong lalo na sa sectors ng pioneering industries at tsaka sa agricultural something (The Constitution set limitations against foreigners in economic activities especially in the pioneering industries and the agriculture sector),” he said.
“Pero I think luma na ‘yun e. Kailangan na natin ng involvement ng foreigners (It is an old provision. We need foreign involvement),” he added.
Binay said that he is suspicious that Charter change is being pushed as the term of President Duterte is about to end.
“Tuwing matatapos ‘yung term ng presidente pinapasok ‘yang constitutional amendment na ‘yan. I suppose gusto pa nila magtagal pa sila sa posisyon (Every time the term of the president is about to end, talks of constitutional amendments surfaces. I suppose they want to extend their terms),” he said.
Binay said that those who stand to benefit from term extensions are the President and re-electionist lawmakers.
The former Vice President said he does not believe in the declarations of President Duterte who publicly said that he is not seeking a term extension.
“Pulitiko laging ganyan (Politicians are like that),” Binay said.
“Tingnan na lang natin kasi (Let’s see what will happen). That’s part of speculation. Walang certainty na mangyayari ‘yun (It is not certain that will still happen),” he added.
Binay called on lawmakers not to add any more amendments other than needed economic provisions.
“Hindi na kailangan pang dagdagan. Doon na lang tayo sa economic provision (There is nothing to add in the Constitution. Let’s stick to amendments in the economic provisions),” he urged.
Binay said the only term extension he wants to see is those for local positions who should get a four-year term.
“Tama lang ‘yung four years. Masyado mahaba ang pulitika. Almost every year may political activity (Four years is enough. Politics is too long already. Every year we are seeing political activity).”