Ejercito, Tolentino open to amending economic provisions of 1987 Constitution

Senators JV Ejercito and Francis Tolentino on Tuesday said they are open to amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado, Ejercito pointed out the need for the Philippines to be more competitive in the global arena in terms of foreign investments.

“If it’s economic provisions, I think the Senate will agree to it… Ako personally, I think we just have to be open because the 1987 Constitution is almost 30 years old. The world has really evolved, wala pang... no such thing as world wide web, internet. The world has become much…smaller,” Ejercito said.

“Ako ‘yung economic provisions lang to make our country more competitive, we have to adapt to the situation,” he added.

One of the economic provisions that should be discussed to keep the Philippines “abreast to our neighbors” is the 60-40 restriction on foreign ownership of companies.

While he agrees with the need to update the economic provisions of the Constitution, Ejercito said the purpose of Charter change (Cha-cha) must be clear as well as the mode of voting of the members of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The senator expressed reservations on amending the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly the term extension of government officials.

Although he said he understands the sentiment that the term of local government officials is short, Ejercito noted that Filipinos are “allergic” and “traumatized” by abuse of power.

“’Pag ang political kasi pinakialaman, I don’t think people would agree to that, ‘di ba (right)…Because of the past experience, people are aware and allergic or traumatized dun sa mga abuse before nu’ng having unlimited terms in office that’s why this was included in the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

Ejercito also said the people must be consulted by the lawmakers as part of their mandate to represent them in Congress.

Tolentino, a member of PDP-Laban whose main advocacy is to push for a federal type of government, said he is in favor of amending the economic provisions of the charter.

“Yung (on the) economic provision, yes,” he said.

However, Tolentino pointed out that the intention to amend the economic provisions alone should be clear in the resolution that will be tackled by both houses of Congress.

“Kung ano napagkasunduan, dapat sundin. ‘Yan ang danger…balik ako doon sa statement ko kanina, it is my intention to honor an agreement, dapat kung may agreement ang economic provisions, economic provisions. Kung 'yun lang 'yung laman ng joint resolution, ‘di ba?” he said.

Among the provisions that should be studied further is the ownership of lands by foreigners.

On Monday, Senator Sonny Angara also said that the “time might be ripe” to review the economic provision of the Constitution.

Ejercito, Tolentino and Angara’s positions were different from the view of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri who said that the country “don’t need any amendment at this particular point in time.”

Apart from Zubiri, Senator Cynthia Villar and Senator Imee Marcos—the sister of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—opposed the revived push for Charter change.

Last week, Senator Robin Padilla filed a resolution seeking to expand the terms of several government officials, including the president and vice president.

This is the second time that Padilla pushed for constitutional amendments in the Senate. He is the chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, a stalwart of PDP-Laban, said he is supportive of amending the political provisions of the Constitution but not the economic provisions.

Last week, President Marcos said the study on amending the 1987 Constitution should focus on how to attract more investors in the country.

The President made the remark amid the moves in the House of Representatives to amend the 1987 Constitution.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez recently said they will "focus" their attention on proposals regarding restrictions in the entry of foreign capital and investments including Charter change.

Romualdez said Congress would "champion the cause of revisiting our present Constitution, a cause that is the key to unlocking the vast potential of the Philippine economy.”—AOL, GMA Integrated News