ALBAY 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman has declared that the fight to amend the 1987 Constitution has commenced on two fronts, with the ultimate goal of liberalizing the economy to attract foreign investments. He revealed that this battle is being waged through a people’s initiative in the House of Representatives and a constituent assembly in the Senate, with separate voting in both houses.
Lagman warns that these efforts may lead to a “compromise” that would open up the economy to “alien investments.” He emphasizes that the real victim in this scenario would be the nation’s patrimony, as sensitive sectors such as public service, education, media, and advertising would be susceptible to foreign control and domination.
However, Lagman argues that these moves to amend the Constitution are ill-timed. He believes that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress should first address pressing issues such as the economic crisis, agriculture, food security, education, fiscal deficit, debt burden, and China’s ongoing aggression in the West Philippine Sea. Lagman asserts that the initiatives for Charter change will only divide and confuse the people, diverting attention and resources away from the actual problems that are not directly attributable to the Constitution.
In fact, Lagman previously disclosed that the campaign to enact charter change through people’s initiative has already begun, with a series of meetings held with local mayors and the provision of mobilization funds to support the cause. However, Ako Bicol Partylist Executive Director Alfredo Garbin Jr., the former chief of the House Constitutional Amendments Committee in the 18th Congress, denies allegations of payoffs to local officials.
Meanwhile, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, the country’s largest labor alliance, strongly urges Congress not to tamper with the 1987 Constitution. They argue that the key to economic prosperity lies in the implementation of critical constitutional provisions, including the ban on political dynasties, rather than through Charter change (Cha-cha).
Nagkaisa proposes an alternative approach, advocating for the institutionalization of a living wage, the strengthening of job security, the protection of workers’ right to organize unions, environmental protection, and the safeguarding of human rights and social justice. They believe that the problem lies not in the wording of the Constitution, but in its enforcement, which they claim is driven by the elite.
The labor coalition expresses disappointment with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s support for Charter change. Zubiri recently filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6, seeking to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution. Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara co-authored RBH 6, proposing amendments to Articles 12, 14, and 16 of the Charter.
According to Zubiri, the nation’s economic policy must be reframed to align with the demands of an increasingly globalized age while still upholding the general policy of prioritizing Filipino interests in the Constitution’s economic provisions. On the other hand, Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, welcomes the resolution, believing that it will revitalize the economy and improve the lives of Filipinos.
While Padilla is currently focused on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, he plans to push for changes in the country’s political structure later this year. In March 2023, Padilla’s committee issued a report highlighting the merits of seven economic amendments to the Charter after conducting hearings in various provinces. However, the report did not receive support from other senators and was not discussed in plenary.
In conclusion, the battle for constitutional change in the Philippines is intensifying, with proponents aiming to open up the economy to foreign investments. However, critics argue that the timing is inappropriate, urging the government to address more pressing issues first. The labor coalition emphasizes that the implementation of existing constitutional provisions is crucial for economic progress, rather than amending the Constitution. As the debate continues, the future of the country’s economic and political landscape hangs in the balance.
Source: The Manila Times
