Economic bills certified 'urgent' piecemeal Cha-cha, says Brosas

Gabriela party-list Representative Arlene Brosas on Thursday branded as "piecemeal Cha-cha (Charter-change)" the three economic measures which were certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Piecemeal Cha-cha itong [certified] as urgent at pinapamadaling ipasa ni Pangulong Duterte na tatlong economic measures" (President Duterte's certifying of three economic measures as urgent is a piecemeal Cha-cha), Brosas said in a virtual presser

"Dahil bigo silang makumbinsi ang sambayanan sa Cha-cha kahit may pandemya, gusto ni Duterte na ipasa na ng Senado ang mga panukalang ito (Because the administration fail to convince the public to support Cha-cha amid the pandemic, Duterte wants Senate to passed these bills), she added.

Amending existing economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, in a bid to open up the Philippines to foreign direct investments, is being pushed at the House of Representatives.

Plenary deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2 started in February. At present, the session is on break and will resume on May 17.

Duterte has certified as urgent three economic proposed measures, which aim to boost investments and spur the country’s economic growth by relaxing restrictions to foreign investors.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Vicente Sotto III dated April 12 -- a copy of which was furnished to House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco -- Duterte told Congress that he certifies the immediate enactment of the following bills:

• An Act Amending the Commonwealth Act No. 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act, as Amended
• An Act Promoting Foreign Investments, amending thereby Republic Act No. 7042 otherwise known as the ‘Foreign Investments Act of 1991,’ as Amended, and for other purposes
• An Act Amending the Republic Act No. 8762, otherwise known as the ‘Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000,’ by lowering the required paid-up capital for Foreign Retail Enterprises, and for other purposes

In the letter, it was stated that the measures aim to “address the immediate and continuing need for legislative reforms to provide a more conducive investment climate, increase job opportunities, foster more competition, and further spur the country’s economic growth."

Brosas pointed out that if these bills would be signed into law, these will adversely affect local businesses.

"Puwede na ang 100% dayuhang pag-aari sa sektor ng tubig, kuryente, transport at maging sa retail industry" (These will allow 100% foreign ownership of various sectors such as water, electricity, transportation and retail industry), Brosas said. —LBG, GMA News