Gadon urges Congress to include political amendments in Cha-cha

Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon is urging Congress to include political amendments in the proposed Charter change. 

In a letter sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives, Gadon pointed out that as discussions on economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution unfold, ''it presents a significant opportunity to consider including changes to the political provisions as well.''

He said certain political provisions have proven to be costly and redundant, noting that amending them could lead to improved governance and greater benefits for the people. 

Term extension

Gadon suggested extending the term of local officials, including members of the House of Representatives, governors, vice governors, board members, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors, to six years. 

He pointed out that triennial elections incur substantial costs, draining billions in public funds and imposing financial burdens on candidates. For local executives, the initial year involves familiarizing themselves with office functions and departments, with subsequent years dedicated to project planning, budgeting, and campaigning. 

Meanwhile, he said there is a need to maintain the term limit for the President, Vice President, and senators, with no possibility of reelection as well as retain existing provisions on succession.

Further, Gadon said transitioning from a presidential to a parliamentary form of government, with the Prime Minister position shared by the Senate President and Speaker of the House, should be considered. 

He added that Cabinet ministers would be appointed by the Prime Minister as they would be responsible for daily government affairs and subject to removal by a vote of no confidence.

On the other hand, Gadon said the President should be designated as Head of State, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and Head of Foreign Relations. The President will also have the power to appoint members of the Judiciary and Constitutional Commissions and may recommend the removal of cabinet ministers. 

The President and Vice President should be elected as a single team, with the Vice President assisting the President, Gadon added. 

When it comes to economic provisions, Gadon said there is a need to explore reverting ownership, management, and control of public utilities like power and water, with a transition plan compensating private companies fairly. 

He also said that Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) should be repealed, which can allow the government to own and operate energy plants.

Gadon said Charter change is a rare opportunity that demands meaningful changes benefiting our nation and future generations. 

''Let us seize this moment to enact comprehensive reforms,'' he told lawmakers in the letter. 

Asked if President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, was aware of his letter to the Senate and House, Gadon replied in the negative saying "I am exercising my right as a Filipino desiring a better future for the country."

Marcos earlier said that the planned amendments to the 1987 Constitution should 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 February.

“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.

On March 20, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 which seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution and allow foreign ownership in vital industries.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the proposed removal of constitutional limitations on the foreign ownership in certain sectors was the “last piece in the puzzle of investment measures” of the Marcos administration.

The Senate, on the other hand, is still discussing RBH 6 which also focuses on amending certain economic provisions of the Constitution. Senate leaders believe there is no need to rush the passage of the measure.

Sought for comment, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said "it would be better to ask Sec. Gadon what poverty alleviation measures he has in mind and just request him to keep his mind off constitutional amendments."

In an interview with reporters, Senator Nancy Binay expressed doubt that political provisions of the constitution will be tackled as RBH6 does not propose such amendments.

"Well, at the moment, there is no resolution that includes (the) political changes (in our) Constitution. So, 'di ko alam kung pwede naming talakayin e wala naman siya don sa RBH 6 na tina-tackle ng committee (I don't know if we can deliberate political provisions because it is not included in the RBH6 that is being heard by the committee)," Binay said.

 For Senator Cynthia Villar, there is no point in responding to Gadon's proposal as she already has a firm stand against Charter change.

"Alam niyo naman ako, hindi ako in favor of Cha-cha kasi okay naman tayo, para 'wag na tayo nag-aaway," she told reporters in a separate interview.

(You know me, I am not in favor of Charter change since we are alright, and we don't need to be fighting.)—AOL/RF, GMA Integrated News