The 2025 elections hold the key to much-needed reforms in governance, where lawmakers to be elected will support needed amendments to the Constitution to allow the entry of foreign investments as well as the more efficient operation of the government.
Senator Robin Padilla stressed this at the 29th anniversary of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Mandaluyong City.
“Kailangan, isa na lang ang House para matipid sa gastos, mabilis ang mga batas.”
“Sana sa 2025 magkaroon kayo ng intensyon na bumoto ng mga kandidatong hindi naman kilala pero naniniwala na kailangan nating baguhin ang porma ng gobyerno. Kailangan, isa na lang ang House para matipid sa gastos, mabilis ang mga batas, at sana pumayag na ang gobyerno na pumasok ang ating mga foreign investor,” said Padilla, who has been seeking reforms in the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
“Bakit kailangan natin ng foreign investor? Para hindi na mag-abroad ang Pilipino. Para ang foreign investor dadalhin dito para magkaroon kayo ng trabaho, yan ho ang kailangan natin,” the legislator added.
According to the senator, the Philippines needs to bring in foreign investors like what Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia have done. Otherwise, he said Cambodia may threaten to surpass the Philippines in terms of economic growth.
He also pointed out that the current system of government can serve taxpayers better if the two houses of Congress – the Senate and House of Representatives – become one.
Besides, Padilla said this is in line with the wishes of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to have rightsizing in government.
“Kailangan huwag tayo maging masyadong magastos, e ngayon ho masyado tayong magastos kasi may senador, may congressman pa kayo.”
“Ang rightsizing ibig sabihin maging mautak ang gobyerno na paliitin. Kailangan huwag tayo maging masyadong magastos, e ngayon ho masyado tayong magastos kasi may senador, may congressman pa kayo,” he stressed.
Padilla likewise pointed out he cannot advocate amendments to the Constitution on his own, and he needs allies who share his beliefs in improving the system of government.
In the meantime, he urged the public to support the TESDA, which he said is doing its part to address poverty. He said TESDA programs provide jobs to Filipinos, including some 1.8 million TESDA scholars.
“Kaya sana yakapin nyo itong mga programang binibigay ng TESDA,” Padilla concluded.
