Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez challenged senators on Thursday, March 16 to prove that they care about the welfare of Filipinos by supporting the House of Representatives' Charter change (Cha-cha) efforts. This, after the House approved on third and final reading two measures meant to pave the way for the revision of the 36-year-old Constitution. "Ito ang tamang panahon para ipakita ng mga mambabatas na sa lahat ng pagkakataon, kapakanan ng taumbayan ang pangunahin namin adhikain, hindi personal na ambisyon (This is the right time for lawmakers to show that in all instances, it's the welfare of the people that chiefly motivates them, not personal ambition)," Suarez said in a statement. The twin measures are Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 and House Bill (HB) No.7352. In tandem, the measures seek the creation of a constitutional convention (con-con), the delegates of which would be tasked to propose amendments to the existing Charter. "I am appealing to our honorable senators to consider how HB 7352 passed its third and final reading with a resounding 301 votes. This is an overwhelming vote from the members of the House of Representatives," Suarez said. "As duly elected officials representing all districts from Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas, our counterparts in the Senate should study their position and acknowledge the need to revise the economic provisions of our Constitution. I urge our senators to review HB 7352, calendar it for plenary debates and vote on it instead of immediately saying that it is not a priority," he added. Suarez gave these remarks amid Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri's bleak prognosis of Cha-cha in his chamber. Zubiri doubts there's enough votes to pass a Cha-cha measure in the Senate, and admits to opposing certain possible constitutional amendments himself. Suarez said that while measures have been enacted in the past Congress relaxing restrictive provisions of the Charter, these have not been enough to encourage the entry of more foreign investments that the government needs to address the economic setbacks caused by the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. "We are all in agreement that most of our laws covering foreign investments are very restrictive and has kept our hands tied for decades. These restrictions prevent us from creating more jobs and getting investments from other countries," he noted. According to the Quezon solon, aenators should consider the gains that the country will get if the economy is opened up further. "Data from numerous studies are undeniable. If we want to compete and be globally relevant, we need to unburden our country," he said.