President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Thursday said he would not interfere in the discussions of Charter Change in Congress.
“We must allow this healthy and democratic debate to wage on, engage (with) it… especially [since] the social economic development of our country is directly involved,” President Marcos said in his address during the celebration of Constitution Day in Makati City.
“I will neither hinder this dialogue nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people,” he added.
President Marcos made his remarks following the growing tension to amend the 1987 Constitution through People’s Initiative.
He, however, expressed his support for an economic provision of the Constitution to boost the country’s economic sector.
“Our country’s economic well-being is distinctly of important concern. Many sectors of society, particularly business, have pointed to certain economic provisions in the Constitution that inhibit our growth and momentum,” he said.
“That is why since the 8th Congress there have been no less than 300 measures filed in the House of Representatives calling for the amendment of these economic provisions of our Constitution,” the chief executive added.
Mr. Marcos also asked for public support to defend the sanctity of the Constitution, the nation’s territorial integrity and the people’s sovereign will, as he vowed to be “Great Protector of the Constitution.”
Previously, former President Rodrigo Duterte strongly expressed his opposition to the call for a Charter Change via People’s Initiative.
Duterte warned President Marcos against an alleged move for him to stay in power beyond the six-year term, threatening to separate Mindanao from the rest of the country.
