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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Economic Chacha advances in Lower House with second reading approval

Economic Chacha advances in Lower House with second reading approval

Published May 26, 2021 10:15 pm

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 26 took a big step in amending the 1987 Constitution by passing on second reading a resolution calling for the revision of economic provisions of the 33-year-old Charter.

In a viva voce vote, Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 won second reading approval. Third reading is expected next week.

Sponsored by the House Committee on Constitutional Reforms chaired by Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, RBH No. 2 seeks to empower Congress to lift constitutional restrictions on foreign investments embodied in the Charter.

Under the legislative measure, the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” ” will be added to sections in Articles 14 and 16 dealing with the control and ownership of alienable lands of public domain, natural resources, public utilities, educational institutions and mass media.

Prior to approval on second reading of the measure, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor and Quezon City 5th District Rep. Kit Belmonte offered amendments but only one, coming from Defensor, was accepted by Garbin.

In his proposal Defensor sought a clarification of the amendatory phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to Article 12, Section 10.

Thus, the proposed section will read as: “The Congress, shall upon recommendation of the economic and planning agency, and when the national interest dictates, reserve certain areas of investments of the Philippines, or unless otherwise provided by law, to corporations or associations at least certain per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens.” In a statement on the second reading adoption of RBH No. 2, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda called on the Senate to pass its own counterpart measure.

“We will approve this on 3rd reading and send it to the Senate. It’s their move now. The House wants this done, soon. That is for certain. But we hope the Senate begins deliberating soon. The timing is efficient, since we could have the plebiscite along with the 2022 elections,” said Salceda, chairman of he House Committee on Ways and Means.

“RBH 2 is pure economic reform. We know and understand that any political charter change will be dead on arrival,” Salceda said.

House leaders want the constitutional measure be presented for plebiscite vote simultaneously with the 2022 national elections.

Related Tags

Economic recovery Charter change House of Representatives
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