Garbin urges senators to be more open to ‘economic’ Cha-cha

House Committee on Constitutional Amendments chairperson Alfredo Garbin on Monday urged senators to keep an open mind on the proposed amendments to the "restrictive" economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution to open up the country to foreign investments.

Garbin made the remark ahead of the reopening of the Charter change (Cha-cha) deliberations in the House of Representatives scheduled this week.

In a statement, Garbin said the amendments to these economic provisions, which are covered in Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2, are already long overdue and "the support and the clamor [are] there."

Under the said measure, the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law" will be included in the provision that reserves certain areas of investments to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations at least 60% of whose capital are owned by Filipinos.

The same phrase is also added in the provisions which limit ownership of educational institutions and mass media to Filipinos.

The measure also introduces the same phrase to the provision allowing the State to undertake exploration, development, and utilization activities on the country's natural resources.

"The introduction of the phrase ‘unless otherwise provided by law’ in those restrictive provisions, as proposed by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, will give Congress the flexibility and leeway to alter the restrictions when the economic situation requires it,” Garbin said.

This slight change in the Constitution's language, he added, "will improve the investment climate and generate much needed investments and jobs to counteract the economic contraction caused by the pandemic.”

"For the first time in the 33-year history of our Constitution, we in the House see that economic Cha-cha can succeed, if only our counterparts in the Senate will keep an open mind on it and agree to consider relevant proposals from us and from their own colleagues," Garbin continued.

Senators' fears

Garbin likewise allayed fears of some senators that amending the economic provisions in the Constitution would pave the way for political amendments as well, such as extending the term of office of incumbent elective officials and lifting of term limits.

"We are not proposing to open the basic law of the land to revisions. We want to limit ourselves to provisions relating to the economy and national patrimony. We will not touch the political sections of the Charter,” he said.

"The Speaker’s assurance will serve as our word of honor. In compliance with the Speaker’s instruction, my committee will not entertain any political amendment proposal," he added.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said a Cha-cha during the remaining years of President Rodrigo Duterte's term is almost impossible.

He said that amending one or two provisions in the Constitution may be feasible, but revamping the entire Constitution may not be as easy.

Amid concerns that the Cha-cha deliberations in the House would lead to amendments in political provisions, Sotto also said the President is not seeking a term extension through Cha-cha but simply wanted the removal of the party-list system.

Malacañang itself also denied rumors that the President was pushing for an extension of his term beyond 2022.

The House panel deliberations on amendments to economic provisions in the Constitution are set to begin on Wednesday. — RSJ, GMA News