President Marcos to speak before constitutionalists, MOPC on Constitution Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos will deliver a policy speech during the commemoration of Constitution Day on Feb. 8 as the debate on whether or not to amend the 1987 Charter rages on.

The event, which will carry the theme, “The Constitution, Ang Bagong Pilipinas,” will be held at the Makati Shangri-La’s grand ballroom at 5:30 p.m., Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) chairman and BizNewAsia founder Tony Lopez said in a statement.

Members of the MOPC and the Philippine Constitution Association will attend the event.

“People may not realize it, but Charter change is all about inclusion,” Lopez said.

“It is to mainstream Filipinos who are at society’s rough edges, those denied basic services government is mandated by law and by the Constitution to render or deliver,” he added.

According to Lopez, the Philippines has been performing “poorly” in terms of foreign investments.

He noted that the country gets the smallest amount of foreign direct investments (FDI) among the large member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Foreign investors, Lopez pointed out, cite restrictions in the 1987 Constitution for the closed Philippine economy, especially in ownership of land, schools, media, advertising and portions of natural resources and utilities.

“The Philippine economy has been closed to foreign investors for many decades, resulting in low FDI inflow, which in turn results in joblessness, inadequate infrastructure and shortages of basic goods, including rice and fish,” the veteran journalist said.

Marcos is expected to be accompanied by Cabinet members during the commemoration.

The President will also engage with legal experts, businessmen, professionals and media practitioners covering the event.

Lopez said the forum would be an “excellent opportunity” to listen to Marcos on matters of national and existential import.

Last month, the Senate unanimously approved a manifesto rejecting a people’s initiative campaign that aims to amend the Constitution, an effort that has been linked to some members of the House of Representatives.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri noted that the initiative wants the two legislative chambers to act as a constituent assembly and vote jointly, a setup that he said would “destabilize” the principle of bicameralism and system of checks and balances.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has also slammed the signature campaign for people’s initiative.

During a recent media interview in Vietnam, Marcos said he was working with legal experts in his administration on the best way to amend the Constitution.

He added that no decision has been made on the people’s initiative, but he does not know if it is still one of the options that remains for the administration.