Makabayan bloc to block proposed charter change in House

The House committee on constitutional amendments will tackle on Wednesday six resolutions and two bills pushing for Charter change (Cha-cha), a move the Makabayan bloc has vowed to block at all costs.

“Once again, we call on the people to resoundingly reject this push for Charter change. This is not what the Filipino people need now. Measures on how to lower oil prices and that of basic goods and services as well as increase aid for the poor are what’s needed, not Charter change to extend the terms of politicians and sell out the economy,” the Makabayan bloc said.

Among the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution are a 5-year-term for both the President and Vice President, who can run for reelection, and 5-year terms instead of the current 3 years for members of the House of Representatives.

Up for deliberation are Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 1 filed by House deputy speaker Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., RBH 5 filed by Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting on political amendments and House Bill (HB) 4421 on prescribing the order of presidential succession filed by PATROL Rep. Jorge Bustos. Constitutional convention

Also up for discussion are HB 4926 filed by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. and House Joint Resolution 12 filed by House constitutional amendments panel chair Rep. Rufus Rodriguez. Both are pushing for a constitutional convention to revise the Constitution.

Other resolutions to be taken up by the committee are RBH 3 filed by Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor on amending provisions on the election of members of the Supreme Court; and RBH 2 and 4, filed by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Tambunting, respectively, on amending economic provisions in the constitution.

Tandem voting

In a statement, the Makabayan bloc singled out RBH 1, which proposes tandem voting and a five-year term for the President and Vice President, with one opportunity for reelection.

It also pushes for five-year terms for House members, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The same term limit was also recommended for elected local officials with the exception of barangay leaders.

“As with previous Charter change efforts, the House will also tackle proposals to remove the constitutional prohibition on foreign ownership of land and restrictions on foreign investment in the economy, education, and mass media,” the Makabayan bloc said.

It criticized the ruling coalition’s attempt to “perpetuate themselves in power beyond what the Constitution allows,” even if RBH 1 prevents incumbents from benefiting from it.

In the 18th Congress, Velasco, then the House Speaker, also filed RBH 2, which seeks to lift economic restrictions in the Charter to attract more foreign direct investments. Although approved by the House constitutional amendments panel in 2021, the resolution was not acted upon by the chamber before it went on sine die adjournment. INQ