House representatives revive charter change bid again

House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. (File photo from the Facebook page of the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — Leaders of political blocs in the House of Representatives are “all amenable” to easing the “most prohibitive” economic provisions in the Constitution to entice more foreign direct investments.

This was the common assertion, House Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. told reporters in an interview on Wednesday after the lower chamber’s party leaders met on Wednesday to “brainstorm” on charter change, following Speaker Martin Romualdez’s pronouncement he would want to revisit it in 2024.

“We party leaders met earlier today. The sense of the House is that the party leaders are all amenable to the revision of the Constitution,” Gonzales, a Pampanga representative, said.

He added that leaders of different political parties agreed that economic provisions needed to be reviewed thoroughly.

“We did brainstorming regarding this matter earlier. But of course, a people’s initiative won’t come from us, but from the people,” Gonzales said.

He also deflected Sen. Imee Marcos’ remarks that proponents of charter change were “too persistent” and that some politicians may be aspiring to be prime minister.

Gonzales stressed there was nothing in the House’s proposals for a charter change that would push for a change in the form of government.

“My proposal, for one, is very clear. It’s just term limits, and others are on economic provisions. Senators won’t be affected by it, they will still have six years. We’re eyeing the economic provisions more,” he said.

Gonzales made the remarks after Romualdez reiterated his push for charter change, particularly the easing of economic restrictions that he said were the “most prohibitive” in the region.

On Tuesday, he said the lower chamber wanted to make the Constitution “more attuned, sensitive and responsive” to the times.

Romualdez said lawmakers would be studying charter change and the procedure to amend the Constitution during Congress’ break from Dec. 16 to Jan. 21.

Gonzales said the House was eyeing to finish deliberations on charter change before the State of the Nation Address in July next year.