Senator Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla respects the views and rights of those protesting the constitutional process of easing the 1987 Constitution's economic provisions to allow more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
Padilla made the assurance Thursday after some groups staged protest actions outside the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City where he presided over public hearing on amending the “restrictive” economic provisions of the Charter.
He is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes.
“I respect the views and rights of those who are against and protesting against this constitutional process,” he said.
Padilla allayed fears that allowing foreign investments might pave the way for Filipinos to be enslaved by foreigners again.
“When we say we will allow foreign investments, it does not mean we will allow ourselves to be enslaved. That will not happen. I and my fellow lawmakers will not allow it. We will not allow Filipinos to be enslaved by foreigners. What we want is the entry of foreign investments to benefit our economy,” he said.
But Padilla also maintained that the constitutional process deserves the people's support, especially since it is for the welfare of the present plus future generations of Filipinos.
He emphasized that the Constitution could not be stagnant and must instead be continuously updated to meet the needs of changing times.
Also, he said that regardless of the mode used to amend the Charter - constituent assembly or constitutional convention - what is important now is to convince the public that the Constitution needs updating.
“Fellow Filipinos, we should wake up. We should not live a life of debts because the Philippines is rich and God did not create us to suffer - He created us to be happy,” he said.