House proposes longer term for its members, local execs

MANILA, Philippines — A new measure initiated at the House of Representatives that seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution will have the term of congressmen extended from three years to four years while reducing the six-year term of senators to four.

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez has filed House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 1 amending portions of the 1987 Constitution despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s silence on Charter change (Cha-cha) during his fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

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The measure, which was referred to the House committee on constitutional amendments on Tuesday, was filed July 1 but a copy of which was given to the media only on Wednesday. 

Under the measure, senators can serve for four years and run for three consecutive terms. Currently, a senator can serve for six years and run for two consecutive times.

As for congressmen, the proposed law wants a four-year term for them as it seeks to let them serve for three consecutive periods.

Meanwhile, all elective local officials will have a four-year term and can serve for three consecutive terms under the measure. 

Moreover, the proposal bats for an increase in the number of senators from the current 24 to 27. It further proposes that three senators should come from each of these nine regions: National Capital Region, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Economic provisions

The measure also seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution’s provisions on national patrimony and economy by inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided law” – essentially allowing the State to enter into deals with foreign-owned corporations when it comes to utilization of natural resources.

It likewise seeks to allow foreign ownership of mass media.

“Recent events show that it is imperative that reforms be introduced in the present Constitution for it to be responsive to the exigencies of the times, including the need to provide long-term solution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao and to spur economic regional development in the countryside, and provide impetus to much needed socioeconomic and political reforms,” Rodriguez said in his explanatory note for HCR No. 1. /kga