CONSTITUTIONAL Amendments chairman and 2nd District Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriquez on Monday said the House of Representatives approved on final reading a resolution seeking to change economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution through a constitutional convention (con-con).
“We need additional investments that would create more job and income opportunities for our people,” said Rodriguez.
He stressed the need for increased capital to sustain the country’s economic growth.
He even maintained that the House aimed to limit the Charter change (Cha-cha) initiative to the economic provisions of the constitution “to attract more foreign investments.”
“That’s a good development,” said Cagayan de Oro City Council’s assistant minority floor leader Councilor Jose Pepe Abbu.
The “historic voting” is long due since previous attempts to revisit the Constitution have not been successful.
“Now Congress will call for Constitutional Convention so they can amend the economic provisions in the Constitution,” said Abbu.
In his comment to some political analysts claiming that the issue of representation was most controversial at the Constitutional Convention, Abbu said the candidates represented in the legislative during amendments or charter change should be coming from a non partisan political party and not a relative of any politician.
“As proposed, there will be an election for Concon representative simultaneously done during the barangay elections,” said Abbu.
At a plenary session, Rodriguez said Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 received 301 yes votes, six no votes, and one abstention.
Rodriguez also emphasized that it has been 36 years since the 1987 Philippine Constitution was ratified by the people through a plebiscite on February 2, 1987.
“Since then, several developments in society and the global arena have rendered certain parts of the Constitution less responsive to people’s needs, particularly the economic restrictions, which hinder the inflow of foreign direct investments and employment opportunities for Filipinos,” he stated.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of the convention as it is “imperative to a sustained economy.
"Foreign investments urgently needed and vital to our economy," he said adding that to provide more employment opportunities and more taxes for projects for the Filipino people.
As a long-term solution to the present problems faced by our country today such as inflation, lack of jobs, and competition in various industries, according to Rodriguez.
On the other hand, HB 7352 or the act implementing the Resolution of Both House No. 6 (RBH) is currently hurdling the second reading in the plenary.
The said accompanying bill provides the details on the composition, election, and qualifications of delegates, including sectoral representatives, as well as terms and emoluments of the members.
