Albay Rep. Edcel lagman. (File photo by JAM STA ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Legislators should take stock of business groups’ opposition to amending the Constitution because it would only disrupt economic recovery and cause division when national unity is most needed, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Saturday.
Lagman made the statement a day after six business groups issued a statement against amending the Constitution because of high financial costs and its potential impact on current reforms.
“The opposition of six big business groups led by the Makati Business Club to charter change echoes the position of independent-minded members of the House against a constitutional convention to amend the 1987 Constitution,” Lagman said.
On Friday, the Makati Business Club, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Filipina CEO Circle, Justice Reform Initiative, Philippine Women’s Economic Network, and the Women’s Business Council Philippines issued a joint statement that raised issues for the Senate to consider in tackling charter change.
The business groups cited high financial costs and the impact on investor confidence and economic reforms as factors to be considered in deciding on the “potentially disruptive proposal at a time when the country may be poised to regain its economic momentum.”
‘Not timely’
Lagman agreed with the business groups that charter change by any mode “is not timely as the government has to address more pressing economic problems on poverty, inflation, and food security.”
“The recent statutes liberalizing the entry of foreign investments into the country should first be fully implemented without trifling with the Constitution,” said the independent opposition lawmaker, who was one of the handful who voted against Resolution of Both Houses 6 and its implementing bill, House Bill 7325.
He added that the high cost of a constitutional convention “can be better channeled to pro-people agenda and reforms.”