The National Unity Party (NUP)--one of the biggest and most respected political parties in the country--went all-in on its bet that Charter change (Cha-cha), through the creation of a constitutional convention (con-con), would be beneficial for the country.

This, after NUP President and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte confirmed Sunday, March 12 that all 45 congressman-members of the party voted in favor of passing Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 on third and final reading.

The measure, which bats for the creation of a con-con, was given the House's final nod last March 6, via nominal vote result of 301-6-1 (yes-no-abstain).

“In a show of unequivocal support for the priority measure on Charter Change of the House leadership led by Speaker Martin [Romualdez], all of our 45 NUP members in the House have voted for the resolution establishing later this year a 251-member con-con to study and propose changes to the economic provisions of our 1987 Charter," Villafuerte said in a statement.

"Such outdated provisions that need a makeover have scarred the Philippines as among the world’s most restrictive economies when it comes to FDIs (foreign direct investments),” said the Bicolano.

The breakdown of nominal vote results aren't immediately available after the announcement of results.

The 45-strong NUP is the second-biggest party faction in the lower chamber, next only to the Romualdez-led Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), which has 70 members.

“The overwhelming vote for the resolution illustrates the broad consensus not only in the NUP but in most of the other political groups as well in the House on the urgency for constitutional reforms, as a way to sharpen our country’s global competitiveness," Villafuerte said.

He further said that the envisioned amendments to the 1987 Constitution's restrictive economic provisions would turn the Philippines into "an investment haven and generate a much higher level of FDI inflows that would spell greater economic activity, create more—and better—jobs and improve the lives of our people".