Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay on Tuesday, January 16 said she is confident that the Senate can extensively review and hold public hearings on the various proposals to amend the economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution. 

Sen. Nancy Binay (Senate PRIB Photo)

Binay said the concerns raised by the business sector and some legislators are worth discussing relative to the merits and benefits to Philippine development.

As a starting point, she said, the Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments, that would be created to discuss Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, should provide a forum for healthy and sensible debate on this matter.

“Forcing charter change without the benefit of any public dialogue is the wrong path to take. There should be more sectoral consultations, more public hearings, and let's listen to the opinions of the common tao (people). But the dialogue should strictly focus on the economic agenda—bar none,” Binay said.

The senator said it is essential for the said panel, which will be chaired by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, to listen to the opinions of not only those in the business sector but from the ordinary Filipinos, people from the labor sector, academe, professionals and other essential sectors as far as the economic provisions are concerned.

“Amending even a single word in the constitution should be a result of an informed choice. There should be no shortcuts—that's why I essentially support the necessity to conduct a wide-range public consultation first rather than a signature-driven campaign that is contentious and not a result of an informed constituency,” she said.

But as far as economic amendments are concerned, Binay pointed out that the Senate has already addressed three vital economic reforms that are intended to boost the economy and global competitiveness.

The senator cited the passage of the Public Services Act, Foreign Investments Act, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Retail Trade Liberation Act which, she said, all aims to attract more investments and make the country more responsive to economic conditions. 

“Hintayin muna natin pakinggan ang mga isyu mula sa ilang essential sectors. Himayin natin at pag-aralan (Let's wait to hear the issues from some essential sectors. Let's dig in and study),” she said.

“Ang mahalaga dumaan ito sa tamang proseso at 'di shortcut (The important thing is that it goes through the right process and not a shortcut),” she stressed.