Padilla’s 2024 wishlist includes review of Charter’s economic provisions

By: Charie Abarca - 10 months ago

STRENGTHEN MTRCB CAPABILITIES: Sen. Robinhood Padilla seeks to empower the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. During the plenary debates on the 2024 General Appropriations Bill (GAB), the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media chairperson pushed for the passage of bills strengthening the mandate and capabilities and organizational structure of the MTRCB. Five proposals have been filed on the matter, including Senate Bill No. 1940 authored by Padilla. In his bill, Padilla stressed the need for the MTRCB to "address the changing demands of our time." "The MTRCB, as the primary quasi-judicial government agency responsible for the review and classification of television programs, movies, and publicity materials, must have the expressed mandate to effectively and adequately carry out its purpose and objectives," he said. (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

Sen. Robin Padilla speaks during Senate plenary on November 14, 2023. (File photo from Voltaire Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla wishes for “more meaningful discussions” on Charter change (Cha-cha) in 2024.

In a statement on Saturday, Padilla said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself has “indicated the need to revisit economic provisions” of the 1987 Constitution.

The Senator sits as chairperson of Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

Padilla vowed to “block potential efforts to push self-serving agendas” in amending the Charter.

“Ang direksyon ng ating Pangulo ay ang maalis ang economic restrictions sa ating Constitution,” he said.

(The direction of our President is to remove the economic restrictions in the Constitution.)

“Sana sa pagbabalik natin sa plenaryo sa 2024, maharap na natin ang usaping ito,” he asked his fellow legislators.

(I hope when we return to the plenary in 2024, we will already face this issue.)

In early December, Padilla also filed a resolution seeking to revise the political provisions of the Constitution.

His resolution proposed changes in the terms of elected officials, including the President, Vice President, and senators, among others.

He wants to allow the President and Vice president to seek reelection and serve for two terms.

Each term will last for four years.

He also seeks to increase the number of senators to 54, with 24 of them serving for eight years.

As he backs amendments in the Constitution, Padilla is urging the public to vote for candidates in the 2025 mid-term elections who are open to amending the Charter.

“Ang pagbabago, mag uumpisa sa inyo. Mag umpisa kayong maghalal ng hindi sikat o hindi kilala pero naniniwala sa Cha-cha,” he said.

(Change will begin in you. You will start electing candidates who are not famous or known but they believe in Charter change.)

Aside from Cha-cha, Padilla’s 2024 wishlist includes a civilized approach to the West Philippine Sea row with China, legalization of medical marijuana, and legalization of divorce.