Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 21)— The House of Representatives’ aggressive push to amend the 1987 Constitution likely has the backing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former senator Antonio Trillanes IV said on Sunday.
In a media briefing, Trillanes said the House Speaker will not make such a move without the president’s approval.
\”Hindi gumagalaw ang Speaker nang walang basbas ng Presidente. Palagay ko doon nanggagaling ang lakas ng loob, confidence na ‘yun,\” he said.
[Translation: The Speaker does not move without the blessing of the President. That’s where I think the confidence is coming from.]
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a first cousin of the president, said in December last year that charter change would be among the House’s top priorities in 2024.
Romualdez, however, has been silent about an ongoing signature campaign to amend the Constitution.
READ:
House to revive Cha-cha push in 2024 Romualdez
Comelec says accepting signature forms for Cha-cha a ministerial duty, explains process
Economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution
Trillanes said he supports Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, which limits constitutional amendments to three economic provisions.
The former senator, however, said proposals for charter change have a long way to go, with legal challenges expected to be filed against them before the Supreme Court.
\”Doon sa approach ng resolution of both Houses, malalaman ng kababayan natin sa plebisito kung ano iyong pinagbobotohan nila,\” he said in the briefing.
[Translation: In the approach of the resolution of both Houses, the people will know in the plebiscite the specific amendments that will be reviewed.]
\”Hindi ‘yung yes or no sa buong revision, kundi yes or no sa mga specific economic provisions na aamyendahan. That way ‘di ka malulusatan,\” he added.
[Translation: It’s not just yes or no to a revision as a whole. But rather, yes or no to each specific economic provision that will be amended. That way, it will be thorough.]
RELATED: Zubiri willing to risk Senate presidency for economic Cha-cha
He said that when the government amends the \”economic restrictions\” in the 1987 Constitution, foreign investors will be able to create more jobs in the country.
