Cha-cha vote before Christmas

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The House of Representatives will vote before the Christmas break on the highly controversial proposed amendment to the Constitution being pushed by no less than Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II told reporters that Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 1 could be voted on before Congress goes on its Christmas break on Dec. 17.

RBH 1 authored by Belmonte proposes to add a five-word phrase—“unless otherwise provided by law”—to economic provisions of the Constitution to allow more foreign business participation in the country. The resolution has undergone weeks of debate since it was approved in August.

“Our understanding is that we will approve the Cha-cha (Charter change) in the House first, then they will take it up in the Senate. I think Sen. Ralph Recto has filed his version,” said Gonzales.

Belmonte said RBH 1 could be approved by a three-fourths vote of all members of the House and the Senate without having to go into joint session. Article XVII, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that any amendments to, or revision of, the Constitution should be voted on by three-fourths of all its members.

Belmonte is determined to push his pet provision to make economic changes in the Constitution despite broad disapproval from the public. Gil Cabacungan