Militant solons decry railroading of economic Charter change bill

MILITANT lawmakers scored the railroading of the economic Charter change bill of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., saying the measure that would seek to amend the constitution would result in foreign exploitation of the economy.

The House of Representatives last Wednesday night approved on second reading Resolution of Both Houses 1, which seeks to ease foreign ownership restrictions in the Constitution.  Belmonte, whose resolution was approved by voice voting, said it is the first time a Charter change bill was passed in the plenary.

The resolution seeks to amend 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.

In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares said opening up the country’s economy to foreign ownership would result in “foreign exploitation [that would be] disastrous to our economy.”

“This is very dangerous and violative of our Constitution…We will exhaust all legal means to stop this sell out of our patrimony,” Colmenares said.

Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon lamented the railroading of the bill in the plenary despite the lack of warm bodies at that time.

“Very treacherous ang House leadership. Clearly, walang quorum pero pinilit ipasa,” Ridon said.

“Hindi na nakaporma ang minority. The Makabayan denounces this clear railroading of Charter change while we are debating the Bangsamoro basic law,” Ridon added, referring to the proposed measure to create a more politically autonomous Bangsamoro region that took up Congress’ time and would be sponsored in the plenary next week.

Ridon also warned of term extension in the economic Charter change bill, though Belmonte has said the bill only seeks to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said opening up the economy to foreign investors would result in land-grabbing to the detriment of poor farmers.

“Kahit sa kasalukuyan, malawakan ang land grabbing at pagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka dahil nga pati nga ay lupa ay kinakalakal na, commodity ito, ine-speculate at target ito ng mga foreign investors, kapag pinayagan na ang 100% foreign ownership of land, mas malala pa ang magiging resulta nito,” Hicap said in a statement.

Belmonte said the House would need the votes of three fourths of 290 representatives, or almost 200 solons, to pass the bill on third reading.

Belmonte said the bill once approved by both Houses of Congress need not be signed by the President because it will be approved in a plebiscite upon the lead of the Commission on Elections.

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