House seen to OK economic Cha-cha before Christmas break

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II. PHOTO from www.congress.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives is expected to approve for second reading the controversial resolution that seeks to amend the economic provisions in the Constitution before the chamber goes on Christmas break.

In a news briefing on Thursday, Majority Floor Leader Mandaluyong Representative Neptali Gonzales II said the lower chamber is expected to vote on Resolution of Both Houses 1 next week.

“Yes, we can vote on it already,” he said of the bill principally authored by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

The resolution seeks to ease foreign restrictions in the Constitution by inserting the “unless otherwise provided for by law” phrase in the provision granting 60-percent ownership to Filipinos and 40-percent on foreign investments.

This means amending the Constitution would only require a simple legislation that needs to be approved by both chambers of Congress and subjected to a plebiscite.

Charter change has failed in the previous Congresses due to criticisms that it could be used to extend the term limits of public officials.

The charter change resolution is now in the plenary for the period of debates and amendment.

Meanwhile, Congress within the year is expected to go on bicameral conference to discuss the following bills: the proposed anti-trust law, the customs modernization act, and the addition of divisions in the Sandiganbayan, Gonzales said.

Also, the anti-political dynasty bill is nearing the period of amendment with only one interpellator left to debate on the bill, he added.

Congress is rushing the passage of important pieces of legislation before it adjourns for Christmas break on December 19.

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