Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines – Given that President Benigno Aquino III has expressed openness to Charter change, lawmakers could convince him to take a look at lifting the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Wednesday.
Still, Abad said Liberal Party members should seek a categorical statement from President Aquino exactly what amendments he would like to pursue so they could act accordingly.
“If there is openness, in so far as the President is concerned, to revisiting the Constitution because of this judicial overreach issue, then you’re just a step away of convincing him of the need to amend certain economic provisions,’’ Abad told reporters after briefing senators on the proposed P2.606 trillion 2015 budget. (The “judicial overreach issue” Abad was referring to was President Aquino’s perception of the Supreme Court’s unfavorable rulings on Aquino’s programs, including the economic stimulus Disbursement Acceleration Program in the government’s national budget.)
“I’m not saying he’s agreeable to it, but the fact that he has opened his mind to the possibility of Charter change, then for those advocating Charter change in the House they should look at that as a positive development,’’ he added.
President Aquino, in a televised interview with TV5 Wednesday last week (Aug. 13), had indicated openness to amending the Constitution to clip the powers of the Supreme Court and stop its “judicial overreach,’’ citing the high court’s ruling voiding the administration’s DAP.
This has been interpreted by some administration allies in the House of Representatives as a go-signal to amend the 1987 Constitution, possibly to lift President Aquino’s six-year term limits. (President Aquino stirred the speculations himself when he said that he would listen to his “bosses” on whether he should seek reelection, which has been banned by the 1987 Constitution that only provided for a single 6-year term for the country’s president.)
But Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon have thumbed down political amendments, saying they agreed to cooperate only in tackling the restrictive economic provisions.
Belmonte is the principal proponent of a House resolution to amend the Charter solely to lift foreign equity limits in investment areas restricted to Filipinos such as real estate and the media.
Even Malacañang clarified that Aquino expressed openness to Charter change only in view of judicial overreach, but would not push it in the remainder of his term.
Abad, a Liberal Party stalwart, acknowledged the need for a party meeting with the President “to clarify’’ his openness to Charter change, and set the direction for the ruling party.
“We then have to meet with the President and try to understand if in fact, there is a change of mind. And if there is a change of mind, what brought it about? If there is a change of mind and we understand what brought it about, what is the direction of that?’’ Abad said.
“Are we talking about just one aspect of the Constitution or are we considering what’s being advocated in the Senate or House, which is to revisit the economic provisions?’’ he added.
After all, Abad admitted: “We have to be in step with our leader.’’
And would the rest of the party follow the President if he declares the need to amend the Charter?
Abad said: “All the time.’’
Until the interview with TV5, the President has ruled out any need for Charter change, and the party has always taken its cue from him, although individual members pushed their own initiatives.
Abad said it was clear the President did not say he wanted to lift the term limit on presidents or even the restrictive economic provisions.
“Until he spoke, our position has always been his position – which is not to entertain any recommendations to amend the Constitution. That was his position. It was useless for us to meet if the leader of the party feels that it’s not yet time,’’ Abad said.
On the other hand, the President has clearly stated that he “has changed his attitude,’’ Abad said.
“Does that mean he will? We don’t know. Certainly, there is now openness. “The reason for that, he (Aquino) said, is that we have to deal with the judicial overreach,’’ Abad said.
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