Marcos asked Senate to lead review of charter’s economic provisions – SP Zubiri

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has asked the upper chamber of Congress to lead the review of the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri revealed Monday.

“I, together with the leadership of Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the leadership of the House of Representatives on Jan. 11 before the Vin D’Honneur in order to raise concerns on the proposed amendment contained in the people’s initiative,” Zubiri told media in a press conference.

“The president agreed with us that the proposal was too divisive and asked the Senate to instead take the lead in reviewing the economic provisions of the constitution. In this way, we can preserve our bicameral nature of legislation,” he added.

Shortly after the press conference, Zubiri filed a Resolution of Both Houses of Congress signed by himself, Legarda, and Sen. Sonny Angara, urging the creation of a sub-committee on constitutional amendments that would be led by Angara to conduct the review.

LOOK: Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri files a Resolution of Both Houses of Congress, which proposes amendments to economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, covering reforms to the Public Services Act, education, and advertising.

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Asked by the media if House Speaker Martin Romualdez was aware that the Senate filed such a resolution and if he agreed that Congress would vote with the upper chamber’s version, Romualdez said: “That is the agreement we made in Malacanang on the 11th of January at 4 p.m.”

“We got the guide from the president. I hope that the president will not be upset if I share this information, pero si president mismo ayaw nya ng lupa na ibigay sa foreigners, siya mismo nagsabi [the president himself said he does not want to give land to foreigners],” the Senate leader explained.

Zubiri said the only reason that the Senate agreed to consider modifying the charter is because of petitions before the high court assailing the constitutionality of the PSA.

“So ang nangyayari po, maraming natatakot pumasok sa bansa dahil maski meron na tayong batas, wala pong [what’s happening is that many investors are afraid to enter because while we have a law, there’s no] TRO (temporary restraining order), what if after one or two years the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional?” Zubiri posed.

The president’s request comes amid clamor over a signature campaign around the country initiated by People’s Initiative for Modernization and Reform Action (PIRMA) to enact charter-change through a people’s initiative.

The movement was made in coordination with some congressmen and was even brought up to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, PIRMA told CNN Philippines’ The Source.

READ: Will Cha-cha finally push through via people’s initiative?  

Zubiri disclosed that provisions of the charter pertaining to Republic Act 11659 or amendments to the Public Services Act (PSA), education, and advertising would be covered in the review.

“Malabo ‘yun [It’s not clear]. He said, and I quote the president, ‘this will give us problems in our housing program, it will increase tax rates and prices of land in the Philippines,’” Zubiri said, recalling his conversation with Marcos.

RA 11659 allows 100 percent foreign ownership of public services in the country including telecommunications, railways, expressways, airports and shipping lines.

Romualdez expressed support for the resolution which seeks charter change via constituent assembly — convening both chambers of Congress to propose amendments -– as opposed to the calls to enact it through people’s initiative.

“The move to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly underscores our commitment to a democratic and participatory process. It reflects our collective resolve to address the long-standing barriers that have, to some extent, hindered our nation’s progress,” he said.

The House leader said the synergy between both chambers of Congress would send a strong signal of unity and purpose and ensure that the process would be transparent, inclusive, and “reflective of the aspirations of our citizens.”