Senator Robin Padilla wrapped up public hearings on proposed measures to encourage more foreign investments by amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution – even as he will discuss the issue with counterparts from the House of Representatives.
At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes in Cebu City, Padilla said he is duty-bound to pursue this despite criticism from some sectors – for the sake of giving Filipinos a better life in the long term.
“Kung gusto natin ng pagbabago, mayroon pong paraan. Kailangan lang po nating mamulat. Kailangan po nating magkaisa para iisa ang ating tatahaking daan tungo sa pag-unlad ng ating Inang Bayan,” the legislator said.
“Bilang inyo pong ihinalal ng taong bayan, kami po ay obligado na gawin ito kahit na marami po ang kumukutya sa amin, marami po ang gustong pumigil sa amin. Kailangan naming gawin ito para sa inyo,” the lawmaker added.
During the hearing, the senator reiterated his position that the Constitution’s economic provisions must be amended because the current Charter is one of the most restrictive in allowing Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) – making the Philippines an economic laggard in Asia.
On Monday, he is to hold a hearing with House of Representatives members in attendance, to discuss the mode of amending the economic provisions – a constituent assembly (Con-Ass) or a constitutional convention (Con-Con).
The House had passed a resolution seeking to amend the Charter’s economic provisions via Con-Con.
But Padilla also stressed that he will not allow the sneaking in of “other agenda” in amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, as he maintained he is for amending the economic provisions via Con-Ass due to budget and time considerations.
“Hindi kami papayag na magkalokohan dito.”
“Hindi kami papayag na magkalokohan dito,” he said in response to the concern of Marlene Bedia, executive director of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who stressed the need for caution in amending the Constitution as “we might lose control of all the other agenda” once the issue is opened for discussion.
“Tatayo kami at maging bukal kaming magsasalita na lokohan ito. Gusto natin talaga magdulot ng ginhawa, pag-unlad at pagbabago,” Padilla added.
Padilla maintained he is hoping to file a committee report soonest and have it ratified via plebiscite in time with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.
“Pangmatagalan ang maging epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya.”
“Yung benepisyo nito pag ito naratipikahan sa darating na barangay elections, mararamdaman natin agad ang epekto nito nang hindi madalian. Pangmatagalan ang maging epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya,” he concluded.
