House files RBH7, mimics Senate economic Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of the House of Representatives have filed an “almost exact reproduction” of Senate Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 (RBH6), apparently in the hope of ending debates over clashing approaches to Charter change and ensuring that a deal is done before the Holy Week.

At a news conference yesterday, authors of Resolution of Both Houses 7 said it is an exact copy of RBH6 authored and filed by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Sonny Angara and Loren Legarda.

“Our RBH proposals are in toto to the Senate RBH. We also have to discuss our proposed amendments, alongside the Senate, so as to hasten the process and achieve the target set by SP Zubiri himself, which is before Holy Week,” Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. said.

Among the economic provisions in the Charter that congressmen and senators deem prohibitive and needing amendment are Article 12 Section 11 on the 60-40 ownership of franchise, Article 14 Section 4 on 60-40 ownership in education enterprises, and Article 16 Section 11 on 70-30 ownership in the advertising industry, all in favor of Filipino citizens.

Senators have said they see no rush for Charter change, with a probe still being conducted on a continuing signature campaign for a people’s initiative pushing for joint voting by the two chambers on Cha-cha.

Rep. LRay Villafuerte, president of the National Unity Party – the second biggest bloc in the House – said RBH7 aims to expedite Charter change.

“Our action is in line with RBH6, as a co-equal in Congress. We want to be exhaustive here,” he said.

“This is what we need. There is the sense of urgency in the House,” the Camarines Sur congressman added, lamenting that Senate’s plan to conduct a “national roadshow” even if the House’s committee on constitutional amendments of Rep. Rufus Rodriguez “already did a roadshow.”

Another administration stalwart from the Nacionalista Party, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the second district of Surigao del Norte, told reporters that it “would just be proper to elevate the level of discourse” on economic Cha-cha.

“We want to assure the senators and the public that there is no political objective here,” he said.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe of the Lakas-CMD said RBH7 talks of a “constituent assembly.”

“We will not dilly-dally on this RBH7. We always act with a sense of urgency,” Dalipe said.

Deputy Speaker Tonypet Albano said the “message is clear, we need to amend the Constitution to precisely address poverty, justice and update the laws that will benefit the Filipino people.”

“President Marcos has given his marching orders for us to amend the economic provisions alone. And we can start with that as soon as possible because of the exigency of time. Four decades is not a short time,” he said.

He said it would be a “death sentence for our country if we treat this Constitution with ‘sanctimonious reverence’ like that is written by God.”

Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon province’s second district explained they just want to be as “exhaustive” as possible and “inclusive to all stakeholders” when the chamber deliberates on RBH7.

Nueva Vizcaya 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing said opening up the debates on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution would prove to the world that the Philippines is ready to play a prominent role in global commerce.

“It sends a clear signal to the global economic players that the Philippines has a brand-new mindset – that we are now a progressive economy that wants to engage with foreign investors and ready to play a more prominent role in the global economy,” she pointed out.

The other RBH7 authors were Reps. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Yedda Romualdez, Jude Acidre, Zaldy Co, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Johnny Pimentel, Jesus Jurdin Romualdo, Wilfrido Mark Enverga, Jose Aquino II, Brian Raymund Yamsuan, Deputy Speaker Kristine Singson-Meehan.

Stop tinkering

Militant groups, meanwhile, were set to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the EDSA people power revolution with protest actions against efforts in Congress to change the Constitution.

In a statement, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said its members would mobilize near the EDSA Shrine starting at 3 p.m.

It said that just like his father, President Marcos has “shown a propensity to tinker with the Constitution.”

“Marcos Jr. wants this in 2024 allegedly for economic reasons but the political agenda for term extension is also not far behind,” Bayan said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also voiced its opposition to Charter change, calling on educators to fight efforts of Cha-cha proponents to open the education industry to full foreign ownership.

“ACT staunchly opposes the proposed granting of foreign ownership of schools under Cha-cha and the prevalence of the colonial and commercial tendencies within the Philippine education system,” the group said.

“This move contradicts our objective of nurturing patriotism among the youth and harnessing education for nationalist development. Additionally, it will maintain further barriers to education access for Filipino youth and repression of the academic and professional rights of Filipino educators,” it added.

ACT stressed that the 1987 Constitution enshrines crucial provisions such as the prohibition of political dynasties, term limits for elected officials, a bicameral legislature for effective checks and balances and the protection of the economy, land, natural resources and key educational and cultural institutions in Filipino hands.

The group also branded the push for Charter change as “unnecessary, divisive, costly and primarily aimed at solidifying the grip of those in power.”

“Thus, we echo the call against Charter change and reiterate our demand for a nationalist, free and high-quality education system, firmly rejecting foreign control over Philippine education. Instead of pursuing Charter change, the current government must prioritize addressing the urgent needs of Filipino educators, including higher and livable wages and improved benefits,” it added.

“Teachers and workers in the education sector, return to EDSA and fight the Cha-cha! Salary increase, not Cha-cha!” it added. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Neil Jayson Servallos