Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 3) — Plenary deliberations on the amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution will begin in the House of Representatives next week, after its passage in the constitutional amendments committee.
CNN Philippines’ Xianne Arcangel and Glee Jalea contributed to this report.
House panel chair Alfredo Garbin said in a briefing on Wednesday that they are ready to submit the committee report on the proposed amendments to Resolution of Both Houses 2 to the Committee on Rules to schedule the plenary debates. The resolution was earlier filed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
“Umaasa tayo by next week this will be in the plenary. Mahaba yung diskusyon doon, mabibigyan lahat ng pagkakatong magsalita,” he said.
[Translation: We are hoping that by next week, this will be in the plenary. Discussion will be long, but everyone will be given a chance to speak up.]
A total of 64 lawmakers voted to adopt RBH 2 during a committee hearing on Tuesday. Three lawmakers opposed the measure while three abstained.
RBH 2 seeks to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in parts of the Constitution to lift restrictive provisions in certain areas such as national patrimony and economy; education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports; and general provisions of the charter. Lawmakers earlier said this was primarily aimed to boost the country’s economy that has suffered a blow due to the pandemic.
The committee agreed to exclude from the resolution the proposed amendment to Section 7 of Article 12 which would have allowed foreigners to own land in the country.
RELATED: House committee adopts resolution on charter change
No Plan B without Senate’s support
Meanwhile, Garbin admitted that they do not have a back-up plan in case the measure fails to hurdle the Senate plenary. He said both chambers have not yet agreed to meet and discuss the issue, but that the House leadership is hoping the Senate will give the needed measure a chance.
Critics, including a number of Senators, have questioned the timing and the manner by which charter amendments are being pursued. They pointed out the move is ill-timed as government is still struggling to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Under our Constitution, the process of proposing amendments to the Constitution would be by a constituent assembly, by a constitutional convention, or by people’s initiative. The Constitution cannot be amended by mere legislation, ” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a vocal critic of the measure, said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source on Wednesday
“If you want to liberalize the nationalistic provisions of the Constitution, you should be able to provide the parameters— how long should be the equity, if there is any, or should we remove this specific requirement. But it should not be delegated to the Congress,” he added.
Garbin, meanwhile, stressed that the sentiments of Filipinos will be considered through a plebiscite to be held in 2022 in time for the elections, to also disprove speculation that they will touch on political amendments.
