HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II brushed aside the proposition that inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions would draw lobbying money to Congress, labeling it as nothing more than a mere scare tactic.
“[Ang sabi] if you give the legislative power to Congress to change the proportion of ownership as provided for by the Constitution, masa-subject daw kami sa mga magla-lobby. Sa akin, pananakot lang ‘yan eh,” Gonzales said in a press conference on Wednesday.
The House of Representatives, convening as a Committee of the Whole, is presently deliberating on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, aiming to ease constraints on specific economic provisions of the 37-year-old Charter by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law.”
One of the key proposed economic reforms aims to reassess the 60-40 equity rule on foreign ownership, which currently limits foreigners to owning up to 40 percent of companies in the Philippines. This rule has long identified as a significant barrier to substantial increases in foreign direct investment and impeding the country’s economic growth trajectory.
During last Tuesday’s deliberation, Bayan Muna chairperson and former congressman Neri Colmenares cautioned that the proposed amendment could lead to the centralization of powers in Congress and the influx of lobbying money into the legislature.
South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Peter Miguel countered Colmenares’ assertion, stating that there was nothing wrong with including the phrase in proposed amendments to the economic constitutional provisions.
Miguel stressed the significance of the phrase, underscoring the need for Congress to remain flexible in shaping laws that adapt to global shifts and sustain competitiveness.
“‘Yung phrase na ‘unless otherwise provided by law’ sa tingin ko perfect po ‘yan na phrase, in fact. Dahil in the context of globalization, kailangan natin ang Congress may leeway, kahit paano may legroom to make laws that are adaptable to changes that are more competitive,” Miguel pointed out.
“So ‘pag may ‘unless otherwise provided by law,’ we’re giving the Congress a more exhaustive, deliberative, detailed manner of creating a law that would be suited for global competition,” he added.
Gonzales concurred with Miguel, further emphasizing that the law should not remain static, as it must evolve to address the present conditions and needs of the country.
Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said the phrase
offers Filipinos a degree of flexibility to maximize investments entering the country.
Contrary to suggestions of coercion, Almario highlighted its potential to address specific needs and services required by foreign direct investors, which could contribute to improving the nation’s status and conditions.
“We can rely on the ‘otherwise provided by law’ to further enhance, to further tailor fit the needs of the country,” he added.
ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Rep. Ray Reyes said the phrase promotes flexibility and adaptability in the legislative process.
“By establishing these qualities, we’re setting up a framework for future Congresses to adjust according to the needs of the times,” Reyes pointed out.
“We couldn’t waste this opportunity,” he added, stressing the urgency of seizing the opportunity to implement such changes in the Constitution.
