Senate panel hearing on Cha-cha ends

Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla presides over the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes’ third public hearing outside Metro Manila on Thursday, March 16, 2023 to discuss proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. (Screen grab/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla will reach out to his counterparts in the House of Representatives to deliberate on Charter change (Cha-cha) as his panel wraps up its deliberations on the proposal.

Senator Robin Padilla, chairperson of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, is pushing to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“Kung gusto natin ng pagbabago, mayroon pong paraan. Kailangan lang po nating mamulat. Kailangan po nating magkaisa para iisa ang ating tatahaking daan tungo sa pag-unlad ng ating Inang Bayan,” Padilla said during the final panel hearing in Cebu.

(If we want to change, there is a way. We only need to be aware. We must unite to have one way towards the progress of our country.)

“Bilang inyo pong ihinalal ng taong bayan, kami po ay obligado na gawin ito kahit na marami po ang kumukutya sa amin, marami po ang gustong pumigil sa amin. Kailangan naming gawin ito para sa inyo,” he added.

(As your elected officials, we are obligated to do this despite criticisms and prevention from some sectors. We need to do this for you.)

Padilla renewed his push to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution as the existing Charter is restrictive in allowing foreign direct investments.

The senator is slated to talk to House members on Monday, March 20.

Padilla will discuss with House members the mode of amending the Constitution through a constituent assembly or constitutional convention.

The senator hopes to lodge a panel report immediately and have it ratified via a plebiscite in time for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls in October.

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JMS