House panel set to vote on proposed Charter change provisions
MANILA, Philippines — A committee in the House of Representatives is set to vote on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution on Wednesday.
The House committee on constitutional amendments will vote on the proposals of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Constitutional Reform (IATF). The provisions that will be approved will be included in the committee report that will be submitted to the plenary.
Among the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution submitted by the inter-agency are:
- Creation of a Regional Development Authority
- Political and electoral reforms which include the development of political parties as democratic public institutions, regulation of campaign finance, anti-turncoats, and anti-political dynasty
- Liberalization of economic provisions under the 1987 Constitution
The House committee earlier recalled the Charter change resolution it approved in December after the inter-agency submitted its own proposed Charter reforms.
Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who chairs the House panel, said many of the group’s proposals are in line with the proposed amendments contained in his committee’s initial report.
Among the common recommendations include: electing senators by region, fixing a five-year term of office for local officials and House members, and the lifting of foreign ownership restrictions.
“In the case of the regional election of the Senate, the task force is proposing the creation of 17 regions with two senators each for a total of 34, while in our initial report, we recommended nine regions with three senators each for a total of 27,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“But at least, there is consensus on the election of senators by region. In the present Senate, there is no representation from Muslim Mindanao,” he added.
As for terms of office, Rodriguez said the inter-agency is recommending five years with one reelection, while his committee favors two reelections.
In an earlier text message to INQUIRER.net, Rodriguez said that once they have voted on the inter-agency provisions which will be included in their committee report, the report will be approved the following week on January 26.
