SENIOR Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez, Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman, AKO Bicol Party-list Rep. Angelo Bongalon, and 1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez on Wednesday urged their Senate counterparts to seize the present opportunity for amending the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference at the House of Representatives, Bongalon stated, “Now is the best time to amend the fundamental law of our land.” He explained how after
October when the period for filing of candidacies will be opened, elective officials will be focused on re-election in 2025.
Roman agreed, saying that “We have this very golden opportunity. Para bang now or never na. Totoo na sa kasaysayan ng kongreso, ngayon lang umusad at nagkaroon ng diskusyon (ang charter change), which is a welcome development already,” adding that, “maraming problemang pang-araw-araw ang maaaring masolusyonan sa pag-amyenda ng mga economic provisions. So pag hindi pa natin na-seize ang opurtunidad na ito, I think we should also be held accountable to the Filipino people.”
Alvarez justified the call for the Senate to deliberate on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 by saying that “Yung mga batas opening up the economy ay hindi pa sapat.”
The lawmakers cited the challenge lodged at the Supreme Court about the legality of Republic Act 11659, which amends the Public Services Act, as proof of the need to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.
Meanwhile, Haresco pointed out how the country’s neighboring countries amended their basic laws to reflect the global changes.
“Sila po Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, members of ASEAN, they have changed their Constitution so many times. Thailand (changed their constitution) 30 times; Indonesia nine times, Malaysia so many times,” he said.
Haresco said the country does not have enough capital, technology and foreign entrepreneurship to participate actively in the global economy.
The lawmakers also took the opportunity to answer speculations about the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
They said that Senators cannot claim to have no knowledge of the budget item, since the 2024 budget was the product of the bicameral conference committee, with members from both chambers signing the document.
Roman pointed out that AKAP is a regular line item in the General Appropriations Act with a total allocation of P26.7 billion.
“Nowhere does it state that (the AKAP) will be used for a people’s initiative,” she said.
