Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said he is open to support moves to introduce constitutional amendments in the 1987 Constitution especially if it would benefit more Filipino people, but acknowledged there may not be enough time to pass into law such measures.
But Go said he supports amendments on the economic provisions in the country’s Charter especially if it will protect Filipino’s interests and allow the country to respond to future crisis.
But with Congress having a few days left to hold plenary sessions, the senator agreed there may not be enough time to pursue Charter change.
Congress is set to adjourn on June 5 and the priority of the government now is to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Go said.
“Iba ang sitwasyon ngayon. Talagang hirap ang ekonomiya dahil nasa pandemya tayo. Kung may babaguhin sa economic provisions, open ako (the situation is different now. The economy is really down because we are in the middle of a pandemic. if there are changes in the economic provisions, I a open),” Go said in an interview on Saturday, May 29.
“Para naman ito sa pag-eencourage ng mga foreign investors at pagkakaroon ng job opportunities. Kailangang bumangon ang ekonomiya dahil iba na ang sitwasyon natin sa new normal (This is to encourage foreign investors and to open more job opportunities. The economy really needs to be rebuilt because the situation under a new normal is different),” he stressed.
Go, however, warned against any revisions to the Constitution that would benefit politicians at the expense of the people.
"Pero hindi ako suportado dito kung ang makikinabang lang ang pulitiko. Hindi ako papayag. Doon lang tayo sa kung ano ang makakatulong sa mga kababayan natin, lalong-lalo na ang mga mahihirap (I won’t support it if politicians are the ones who will benefit. I will not allow it. We just support moves that would help our people especially the poor),” he reiterated.
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 last May 26, which proposes to “liberalize the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.”
The measure primarily seeks to open the country to foreign investors and help the economy recover from the adverse impacts of the pandemic.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco had assured that all deliberations in the House would be centered on the economic provisions, and the entire process shall be transparent and fair.