Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday expressed his support for the proposed amendments on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to supposedly help the country’s economic situation following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Go said that the economic Charter change is timely to attract more foreign investors as the country’s economy suffers and Filipinos lose their jobs because of the pandemic.
"Iba po ang panahon ngayon, kailangang luwagan konti ang mga investors na gustong pumasok dito sa atin. ‘Pag maraming investors, mas maraming trabaho ‘pag may magbubukas kahit na dayuhan (Time has changed, we need to ease the entry of investors who want to come to the country. With more investors, there will be more jobs for our countrymen),” he said in a statement.
Go, however, emphasized that he only supports for the economic revision of the Constitution and not other provisions that could only benefit some politicians.
Last November, lawmakers had discussed amending the Constitution with President Duterte. Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Duterte suggested amending the economic provisions of the charter and the country's party-list system.
Last February 2, the House of Representatives' constitutional amendments committee approved Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, which proposes to "liberalize the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution".
The business community has expressed its support for the move, 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”.
Go earlier said that he would thoroughly study plans to amend the economic provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.