House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s Office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez has assured the public that the House will prioritize economic revisions when it comes to the proposed Charter change (Cha-cha). 

"May pagbabago na ipo-propose, na amyendahan ang ating Constitution, Saligang Batas, tungkol sa ating ekonomiya. ‘Yan ang priority rin natin dito sa House," Romualdez said in an impromptu press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 24. 

(There are proposals to amend the Constitution, on the economic provisions. That's our priority here in the House.) 

"At although hindi perfect pa, baka sa susunod, pwedeng pag-isipan pa o pag-aralan din ‘yong mga political. Pero ako, sige, unahin na lang natin ‘yong economic provisions, unahin na natin, i-prioritize natin," stressed the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

(And although it's not perfect, maybe next time, we can think about or study political [amendments]. But for me, yes, let's just do first the economic provisions, let's prioritize it.) 

Earlier Wednesday, President Marcos was quoted as saying that he favors amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. 

"I am one with the President dito sa message niya (in this message of his)," Romualdez said in reaction to Marcos' pronouncements. 

"Kung maibubukas natin ang ating ekonomiya para lumago ang ekonomiya, para gumanda, dumami ang trabaho, gumanda ang livelihood natin, ay ‘yan ang maganda," he added. 

(If we can open up the economy to nurture it, to improve it, to generate more jobs and to improve our livelihood, that would be for the best.) 

With the Senate's apparent abandonment of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6, which calls for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), the likely route for Cha-cha if it happens at all is via People’s Initiative (PI). The past few weeks have seen the signature campaign for PI gain traction all over the country. 

However, the PI movement has been marred by allegations of signature-buying and interference from solons. These have been denied by PI proponents. 

Romualdez defended the PI movement during the same briefing. "Dito sa People’s Initiative,  that is the option of the people ‘di ba (This People’s Initiative is the option of the people, right), that’s their prerogative." 

"Yan talaga ang right ng taumbayan ‘di ba. Kanila po ‘yon dahil naka-enshrine ‘yan sa Constitution, Pwede tayong mag-Constituent Assembly, Constitutional Convention, or People’s Initiative. So hayaan mo na lang ‘yan," the House leader said. 

(That's the right of the people. It's theirs, it's enshrined in the Constitution. We can do a Constituent Assembly, Constitutional Convention, or People’s Initiative. So let's leave it at that.)