Ensuring the 1987 Constitution does not hold back the Philippines’ economic growth – especially for the long term – should be the priority especially of lawmakers, a constitutional reform advocate said.
Lawyer and Ateneo de Manila Law School Professor Antonio Abad Jr. said fixing the relevant provisions in the basic law of the land is for the benefit not just of Filipinos now but of future generations of Filipinos.
“Ang Saligang Batas is the highest law of the land – so kung leader ka, kung senator ka, this should be your priority.”
“Ang pag-ayos ng Saligang Batas siguro ang No. 1 priority natin. Ang Saligang Batas is the highest law of the land – so kung leader ka, kung senator ka, this should be your priority… ito dapat ang priority. Dito manggagaling ang ulam, kanin at sibuyas,” Abad said in an interview on DZEC.
Thus, Abad voiced his support for Senator Robin Padilla’s Resolution of Both Houses No. 3, which seeks to amend some economic provisions in the Charter through a constituent assembly, with both houses of Congress voting separately.
“Sang-ayon ako sa resolusyon na gawa ni Sen. Robin Padilla at sa mga ginagawa na resolusyon at effort sa House of Representatives na kailangan talaga ayusin ang ating Saligang Batas. Tama si Sen. Padilla na masyadong mahigpit ang economic provisions sa ating Saligang Batas kaya naiwan tayo sa economic development especially sa Southeast Asia,” Abad said.
“Ang Saligang Batas hindi lang para sa pulitiko. Ito ay pag-aari ng taumbayan. Lahat tayo ay may stake. We are all stakeholders in our Constitution,” he added.
Responding to claims that amending the economic provisions of the Constitution would not be needed due to laws like the Public Service Act, Abad noted that while the Public Service Act may have generated investments in various sectors, there is still a need to ensure the Constitution allows economic growth for the future generations.
“You want a Constitution that will last the next 100, 1,000 years. So ayusin ang Constitution ngayon para sa ating future generations.”
“Itong Saligang Batas para sa ating future generation ‘yan. You want a Constitution that will last the next 100, 1,000 years. So ayusin ang Constitution ngayon para sa ating future generations,” he said.
Besides, Abad said rules on investments should be in laws and not the Constitution. He noted that while the Philippine Constitution has a 60-40 restriction on foreign investments, our Southeast Asian neighbors like Myanmar, which have gained much foreign investments, have no such restrictions.
“Pag nakita ng investor sa Saligang Batas natin na may provision na nagsasabing hindi ka pwede mag-invest, hindi sila pupunta rito at pupunta sila sa ibang bansa tulad ng Vietnam,” he said.
