Now is right time to amend economic provisions of Constitution, says Lacson

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson thinks that now is the right time — the second year of President Benigno Aquino III’s office — to start talks on amending the 1987 Constitution or Charter change.

Speaking on Monday at the Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel, Lacson stressed that pushing for constitutional amendments under the present administration would not appear wrought with malice.

He cited Presidents Ramos and Arroyo’s attempts to amend the constitution during their terms. “During the time of Ramos, he introduced Philippines 2000 considering that his term is only until 1998. Under GMA, at the time that her credibility was at its lowest, she thought of Charter change, so you cannot expect the public not to be suspicious,” the senator pointed out.

“The second year of President Aquino’s term is the best time to talk about amendments in the constitution. We do not see any malice here. He has the people’s support. Now is the right time to discuss this but only in terms of economic provisions,” Lacson explained.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who was also at the forum, agreed with his colleague saying, “During Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s time, there was a lot of anxiety. We did not see her as a sincere president. So now that the confidence of the people is high on President Aquino, I think is time to amend the constitution.”

He pointed out that both Presidents Ramos and Arroyo, brought up the idea of Charter change towards the ends of their terms. “So there is a bit of malice. It seems like there was a desire to extend presidential terms.”

Estrada said that his father, President Estrada, brought up Charter change in the form of Constitutional Correction for Development (Concord) during the first year of his term and only wanted amendments in the economic provisions.

“Now under President Aquino’s term, in my opinion, we need to amend the different provisions of the Constitution when public confidence in him is high. I am calling on Malacañang, even on President Aquino, to give a chance for the discussions in amending the outdated charter,” the senator said.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also expressed support for constitutional amendments to a “flawed” national charter but he said amendments must be limited to the economic provisions via the piecemeal approach through the legislative mill.

He proposed that both the Senate and the House of representatives come up with resolutions on specific economic provisions that would have to be amended and that would eventually be put to a vote in a plebiscite.

Lacson said both houses of Congress could convene as a constituent assembly to amend economic provisions in the Constitution. “Both houses could come up with resolutions touching on economic provisions that need amendment, voting separately and not jointly.”

He stressed that would suffice as a safety net to prevent attempts to make other changes in the Constitution concerning politics.

The idea that the Senate and the House could convene as a constituent assembly but vote separately remains under legal dispute. Lawmakers are thinking of opting for the less divisive process of amending the Constitution by filing bills containing the amendments.