Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, said Thursday that he would thoroughly study plans to amend the economic provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution to spur growth and recovery, particularly now that the country aims to recover swiftly from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kung economic provision ang pag-uusapan, pabor po ako dahil 33 years na po ang Constitution at iba na po ang ating sitwasyon ngayon,” Go said when asked on his thoughts about Charter change.
(If the issue is amending the economic provision, I am in favor because the Charter is now 33-years-old and the situation now has changed)
“Pag-aralan po natin ang economic provisions dahil kailangan natin ng more investments going back to our recovery and restoration of normalcy sa ating bayan. Marami rin pong dapat silipin to encourage more investors,” he added.
(We will study the economic provisions because we need more investments in our country. There are areas to be studied to encourage more investors)
The House of Representatives had begun discussing the proposed Charter change on Wednesday.
Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 proposes to “liberalize the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution,” which, according to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, is preventing the Philippines “from becoming fully competitive with our Asian neighbors.”
Velasco assured that whatever discussion in the House would be confined to the economic provisions only and the whole process would be transparent and fair.
“The business community expressed its support, with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Benedicto Yujuico saying that with the proposed amendments to the restrictive economic provisions, the country would be more competitive, would boost foreign investments, and ‘and address monopolistic, uncompetitive behaviors, and under-investments in some sectors critical to the public interest.’”
In January of last year, Go said that he would support constitutional amendments if they are for the good of the Filipino people.
“The Constitution is for the people by the people. Para po sa akin, kung ano ang makakabenepisyo sa Pilipino ay susuportahan ko, pero kapag maamoy na namin na ang makikinabang dito ay mga politiko, hindi po kami papayag,” Go said.
(I support whatever is beneficial to Filipinos. But when I think that politicians will stand to benefit from his constitutional amendment, I will object)