Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Rep. Villafuerte's office)

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte has floated the possibility of "meeting in the middle" with senators as far as the passage of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No.6 is concerned. 

“We’re appealing for the March deadline, but now they are saying October; maybe we can meet in the middle ground. That's part of the democratic process," Villafuerte said in a statement over the weekend. 

The current Charter change (Cha-cha) effort, particularly the proposed economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution is said to hinge greatly on the passage of RBH No.6. 

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri led the filing of the measure last Jan. 15, and made the promise to pass it by March 2024. But in recent weeks, senators--who are usually against constitutional amendments--have said that they are now eyeing an October passage. 

For the pro-Cha-cha House of Representatives, where Villafuerte belongs to, the lengthier timeline would practically doom the effort. 

“The sooner we can pass a final version of RHB 6, the sooner we can conduct a plebiscite on the would-be proposed constitutional amendments. But, you know, that's our opinion. But if the Senate thinks otherwise, we respect that. If the would-be proposed amendments are not passed, we will respect that, too,” he said. 

That said, the Bicol solon maintained the argument that the Philippines would continue to be at a disadvantage if the Constitution remains at it is. 

“In our opinion, the people will suffer if constitutional reform doesn’t happen. If you look at the facts, within Southeast Asia, we have the lowest FDI (foreign direct investments) inflows. Vietnam has overtaken us. Do we wait for Burma, Cambodia, Laos to overtake us?” he stressed.  

Villafuerte is the president of the National Unity Party (NUP).