Marcos on Cha-cha: Just economic provisions, nothing more

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday ensured that the planned amendments to the 1987 Constitution would only be limited to economic provisions.

“I want to make it clear. This Administration’s position in introducing reforms to our Constitution extends to economic matters alone, or those strategically aimed at boosting our country’s economy. Nothing more,” Marcos said in his speech during the observation of Constitution Day 2024 in Makati City.

“In any event, this Administration is going to continue to push hard to attract more foreign investments to significantly help us achieve our ambition of upper middle-class income status by 2025," he added.

Marcos also raised the importance of the country’s economic well-being, with many sectors of society, particularly business, pointing to certain economic provisions in the Constitution that inhibit the Philippines’ growth momentum. 

 “Despite nearly 16 percent decrement in our net foreign direct investment inflows, our economy continues to grow and is expected to grow further by 6.5 to 7.5 percent in this year 2024,” he added.

Thursday’s event was led by members and officers of the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA) and Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC). Also in attendance were businessmen, politicians and representatives from foreign chambers.

Founded on September 26, 1961, PHILCONSA is the oldest, non-profit, non-partisan organization created to defend, protect, and preserve the Philippine Constitution.

“Anchored on these restrictive provisions, there are laws that prohibit certain kinds of foreign investment and thus limit our economic potential and our global competitiveness. That is why since the 8th Congress there have been no less than 300 measures filed in the House of Representatives calling for the amendment of these economic provisions of our Constitution,” Marcos said.

He said this kind of healthy and democratic debate should be allowed, especially that the social economic development of the Philippines is directly involved.

“I will neither hinder this dialogue nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people,” Marcos said.

Marcos further called on for support in the government in defending the sanctity of the Constitution, the nation’s territorial integrity and the people’s sovereign will, as he promised to be “Great Protector of the Constitution.”

Earlier, Marcos said the Philippines needs to adapt as the 1987 Constitution was not crafted in the context of a global community.—RF, GMA Integrated News