Senators vow to block political Charter change measure from House

Senate President Franklin Drilon. JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Thursday said senators will block any attempt to amend the political provisions of the Constitution even as a measure for economic charter change progresses in the House of Representatives.

Drilon allayed fears that the proposed amendments to the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution would later on encompass the political provisions.

“I think the Senate will not agree to that. We have enough senators that will not agree to such proposal,” Drilon said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum.

The Senate is expected to tackle the Charter change proposal after it has been approved in the Lower House.

Drilon said he himself supports only the proposal to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in the Constitution’s economic provisions.

This would not automatically overturn the economic provisions—which limit foreign investors’ participation in economic activities—and would instead allow Congress to pass laws to change the policies laid down in the Constitution.

The House leadership hopes to approve on final reading the resolution of both chambers amending the economic provisions before Congress adjourns its second regular session next week.

To pass the measure, a three-fourths vote of the 298-House membership is required.

A three-fourths vote of the Senate would also be needed for the measure to be subject to a plebiscite.

The President’s signature is no longer necessary.

Drilon also backed the method adopted by the House in proposing amendments to the Constitution. Other legal experts supported this as well, he said.

“I myself believe it can be done,” he said.