Senator Robin Padilla on Sunday, February 12, defended the resolution he filed seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution from critics, saying that a review of the present Charter is needed to amend the economic provisions and make it attuned to the present needs of Filipinos.
Padilla earlier filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 3 seeking to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly.
Some senators, particularly Senators Grace Poe, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III have expressed their opposition to the resolution. Sen. Nancy Binay also said most senators are not receptive to the idea, while Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said he is willing to support the measure.
Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Revision, Codes and Laws, appealed to his colleagues to reconsider the measure.
“I respect the opinions and suggestions made by some of my fellow senators regarding the resolution I filed in the Senate, seeking to amend some economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution in a bid to enhance our economic growth,”
Padilla said in a statement,” Padilla said in a statement.
“I ask them to consider the resolution and rest assured that it contains nothing about political provisions, including the extension of terms or the changing of the form of government,” he said.
The senator said the Resolution of Both Houses No. 3 “is strictly about our economy and investments that would bring jobs and livelihood for our people.”
While amendment to the laws, such as the Public Service Act and the Trade Liberalization Act have been passed in Congress, Padilla said some foreign investors are still hesitant about investing in the Philippines due to the Constitution's current provisions.
“Also, we cannot discount the questions raised by some sectors about the constitutionality of the Public Service Act,” he pointed out.
Padilla also said it is also more practical to amend the Constitution by means of a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) as it is the most practical and economical method.
“It is clear that the Constitution is the highest law of our Motherland. It cannot be amended through regular legislation like in past Congresses. Amendments can take place in only three ways: Constitutional Convention; Constituent Assembly; or People's Initiative,” the lawmaker noted.
“Of the three, the Constituent Assembly is the most practical and economical,” he reiterated.
“In my resolution, I made it clear that the Senate and House of Representatives will vote separately, so there will be no joint assembly, joint session or joint voting where the voice of 24 senators will be drowned by those of almost 300 members of the House,” he stressed.