Speaker Feliciano Belmonte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has signed a pledge vowing that only the economic provisions of the Constitution, and none of the political ones, such as the elected officials’ term limits, would be amended as part of the charter change moves in the House of Representatives.
Buhay party list Representative Lito Atienza said Belmonte on Wednesday signed the pledge, which also stated that those who would violate it would submit themselves to proceedings of expulsion from Congress.
Atienza said he was “elated” at the development, and believed many of his colleagues shared the same view about the charter change proposal.
“We hope that Speaker Belmonte’s signing of the pledge will put to rest whatever doubts the public may have on the intentions of some members that changes will affect only the economic provisions of the Charter,” he said in a statement.
He earlier urged his colleagues to sign the pledge amid fears that the current proposal to amend the fundamental law of the land could be used to extend or lift politicians’ term limits.
Belmonte is the principal author of the resolution that seeks to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to the constitutional provisions that limit foreigners’ land ownership and participation in certain businesses and industries in the country.
Should this bear fruit, Congress would be able to pass laws that would modify or lift these restrictions.
The resolution has hurdled the committee on constitutional amendments, and debates on the proposal are expected to begin in May after Congress returns from its one and a half month summer break.
Belmonte earlier urged his colleagues to use the summer break to reflect on the proposal and to consult their constituents about it.
He also said he would try to meet with President Benigno Aquino during the break to discuss the measure.
The President has been lukewarm to efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution, which came into force during the term of his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.
Belmonte earlier acknowledged concerns about the motives of his charter change resolution, but said he was only intent on amending the economic provisions.
“I just feel many people are very apprehensive that this is a disguise for lifting term limits and other political changes, and we assure them it’s not,” he said.
Militant lawmakers were among those who opposed Belmonte’s resolution, saying that there was no assurance that Congress would not later on insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” into the Constitution’s political provisions.
Local businessmen have also warned that the proposal could lead to instability because Congress would be able to change the country’s economic policies anytime they want by passing a law.
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