The House of Representatives is now starting a debate on Charter change centering, it is hoped, only on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. This initiative is spearheaded by no less than Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. himself who vowed not to touch other provisions of the existing law of the land, especially the one that limits the term of office of the President.
The Speaker's motive is laudable because there's really a need to loosen up our policy towards foreign investments, if only to accelerate the entry of foreign capitals. Presently, despite the government's boast of a high GNP, the Philippines ranks among the lowest in Asia in terms of capital inflow from multi-national companies. This has resulted in a slow-paced socio-economic development which of course adversely affects the generation of more job opportunities.
What's the current unemployment rate? More than 10%, which translates to more than 10 million unemployed workers, which results in millions of economically handicapped families. Militant groups, as expected, object to such economic policy saying this would open our resources to foreign exploitation and control. But the reality is that no developing country can fully be developed by relying only on its own people's capital inputs.
Once this country generates a favorable climate for foreign capital portfolio the likelihood of its becoming a newly industrialized country is high. Then majority of its 100 million people well enjoy a better quality of life. Then the more than 30 million Filipinos who claim themselves poor will be better fed, better clothed, and better sheltered.
Charter change, however under the present political scenario can be a risky venture. The truth is that any mention of it before the PDAF and DAP controversies was anathema to the ears of PNOY. But when his leadership was clobbered by the Supreme Court after the latter declared his DAP initiative unconstitutional, the idea of getting back at the high court made Cha-cha attractive to the President's mind. And when one of his lieutenants mentioned the possibility of extending his term of office through the same mechanism, why, of course, by all means let there be Cha-cha!
We have no idea if Speaker Belmonte's sudden Cha-cha obsession is his own and not inspired by PNoy. If it's the product of the Speaker's own serious calculation driven by a desire to serve his country, he deserves an accolade: But if it's the windflow from Malacañang that triggers it, especially because he belongs to the same party mold as PNOY then the country should brace itself for a malicious betrayal of public trust. One must remember that up to this date PNoy has not categorically stated that he would step down come June 30, 2016. To Secretary Roxas' idea of a possible second term the President's reaction was that he would first consult his "boss", the people, meaning that if the latter would go for it (perhaps after some semblance of consultations) who am I, to thumb down the people's will?
Once Congress is in session as a Constituent Assembly to amend the Constitution, who can prevent Malacañang from arm-twisting the senators and congressmen to allow a sitting president a second term? Remember the Corona impeachment trial? How much did each senator get in exchange for the former Chief Justice's conviction? PNoy did it once with the "honorable" senators. Would he not do it again with the lawmakers? Election is only less than two years away. Senators and representatives need logistics for their reelection or that of their bata-bata-who can refuse an avalanche of cash from the Executive office? There's a lump sum of P51 billion for Malacañang's special purpose funds in 2015 and another P30 billion also lump sum for LGU'S-who's the lawmaker that does not salivate for such bonanza?
Referendum? Certainly, a referendum is needed for any change in constitutional provisions. But even this can be manipulated. What a frustrating situation!