Lawmaker seeks referendum on Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines – A Northern Luzon congressman has asked the House of Representatives to call for a national referendum to let the people decide on Charter change (Cha-cha).

“There are proposals from various sectors to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution in order to cope with the growing demands of the modern times,” Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog said in filing Resolution 2384.

“There is likewise a clamor from the business sector to amend some of the economic provisions of our Constitution which are reasons why foreign investors are shying away from the Philippines, thereby greatly affecting our progress economically,” he said.

“In order to resolve the issue on whether or not to amend or revise the Constitution, there is a need to consult the people directly by way of a referendum to determine the sovereign will,” he said.

He proposed that the referendum be held together with the May 9, 2016 combined presidential-congressional-local elections.

He prefers that the Charter be changed through a constitutional convention, and not through Congress converting itself into a constituent assembly.

Dalog suggested the question to be asked in the referendum: “Do you want the 17th Congress to, within 90 days from the opening of its session, call for a constitutional convention that will be composed of elected and appointed delegates to propose amendments to, or revision of, the 1987 Constitution?”

He invoked the Charter itself in suggesting a national consultation.

He said Article XVIII proves that “the Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its members, call for a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its members, submit to the electorate the question calling for such convention.”

The Dalog resolution, if approved, would mandate the Commission on Elections to include the referendum question in the May 2016 elections.

Not too long ago, the House approved on second reading Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, which seeks to empower Congress to relax economic restrictions in the Constitution to attract more investments.

The measure has been awaiting third-reading approval but the House leadership is reluctant to put it to a final vote because President Aquino is against it.

Foreign and local businessmen have expressed support for the resolution.

The Charter limits foreign participation in certain sectors of the economy like telecommunications and media to 40 percent.