‘No political changes in legislated Cha-cha’

MANILA, Philippines - Any amendment to the Constitution will have safeguards against possible tampering of its political provisions, leaders of the House of Representatives said yesterday.

Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who is expected to be re-elected Speaker, and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II said in separate interviews that House Resolution No. 1 is only meant to amend certain economic provisions in the Charter and that other sections would be left untouched.

“Charter change would not stand in the way of priority legislation. That is what we are aiming for. Term extension is excluded from it because we just want to further accelerate the economic growth in the countryside,” Belmonte told reporters.

Critics of the latest Charter change initiative said the move could pave the way for tinkering with the Constitution’s political provisions to extend the term of the country’s elected officials.

President Aquino has repeatedly rejected efforts by his allies in Congress to amend the Constitution ratified during the administration of his late mother Corazon Aquino.

The resolution, filed by Belmonte, proposes that the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” be inserted in provisions restricting foreign ownership of certain sectors of the economy.

Belmonte said easing restrictions on foreign capital would lead to a surge in investments, resulting in more jobs and higher incomes.

The proposal covers Articles II, XII, and XVI and the amendments would have to be approved separately by the Senate and the House in a vote of two-thirds of their members, and subjected to a nationwide plebiscite.

Gonzales reiterated the process was the “simplest, least costly, and with the most safeguards.”

“You must remember, Congress would still have to draft and pass laws for the specific amendments, which means it would be very transparent, and would require a three-fourths vote, and the participation of all three branches of government,” Gonzales said in a telephone interview.

He said the President can also exercise his veto powers.

“Most of all, all these amendments would have to be approved directly by the people in a plebiscite,” he said.

“I myself will oppose any amendment that will pertain to any political provisions of the Constitution, including shift of form of government, lifting of term limits, etc.,” he added.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said the administration hopes to generate a groundswell of support for Charter reforms from different sectors of society.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said there is a good chance for Charter reforms to succeed in the 16th Congress because of President Aquino’s generally high trust and performance ratings.

“With P-Noy’s high trust rating and people’s trust in him, coupled with strong clamor for the business group, we have a strong Charter change push,” Tugna said.

Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano said Charter reform is “a policy decision from the legislature that if both houses would agree then the job of the executive is to execute it.”

“But since the President is the head of the party in power (Liberal Party) in Congress, then it’s up to him to marshal his troops in a caucus to thumb down Charter change proposals,” Albano said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay said that while efforts to amend the Constitution may be “laudable,” they might open a Pandora’s box of troubles for the country.

He said he does not doubt the sincerity of Belmonte when the latter “made it clear that it will just focus on economic provisions.”

“But I hope there won’t be attempts to amend other non-economic provisions since that could be divisive,” Binay said.

He stressed he is also in favor of amending Article XII Section 10 of the 1987 Constitution, limiting foreign ownership of local companies to 40 percent. Binay had publicly declared his openness to Charter change but cautioned against rushing it.

“I submit that Charter change is a serious issue and we have to study it well. This is not to say that I am eager to Cha-cha-cha myself – not at all. I hear the music but I will not rush into it,” Binay recently told the Philippine Constitution Association.

He said the people must be “open to the opportunity to correct” any of the Constitution’s “obvious imperfections and defects” even while “faithfully and passionately living its spirit, and while being prepared to make any sacrifice in its defense.”

He said it should also be “clearly justified” that the perceived defects in the Constitution were hampering economic growth. – With Rodel Clapano