The recent Pulse Asia survey showing just eight percent of Filipinos favor Charter change or “Cha-cha” only highlights the need for a plebiscite, a lawmaker said Monday.
But House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin also said efforts in the House of Representatives to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, if successful, will surely make the Philippines more friendly to foreign investments and should attract more investors.
In a press conference, Garin said she believes a referendum would prompt voters to study what Charter change is about.
“If we hold a plebiscite next year, we will have eight months that all the people can talk about. It will now be a discussion at the table where the family is, in the house for family get-togethers, at reunions and various occasions, even at school,” she said.
“Awareness will increase. People will know about the subject before they vote. People will be able to decide intelligently,” Garin added.
The plebiscite would also make voters learn more about the limits of the Constitution and their authority to approve or reject amendments, the Iloilo solon added.
A Pulse Asia poll showed that 88% of Filipinos are against amending the 1987 Constitution “right now,” a 43% increase from the 45% who were not in favor of such a move last year.
Garin, however, offered a positive assessment on Tuesday in response to a question about two adverse economic outlooks on the Philippines from foreign institutions.
Meanwhile, lawmakers who authored the proposed economic charter amendments stood firm in their conviction that constitutional reform is crucial for addressing societal needs and fostering economic development.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe of Zamboanga City, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, and Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon maintained the potential benefits of amending the restrictive economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution in the wake of the Pulse Asia survey.
On March 29, the US Trade Representative cited foreign ownership limitations in the Philippines as one of the barriers to trade and investments, while the Milken Institute’s Global Opportunity Index (GOI) report for 2024 said the country ranked 91st out of 130 nations when it comes to attractiveness to foreign investors due to financial access.
Asked whether economic amendments as contained in Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 (RBH 7) recently approved on final reading in the House can make the Philippines more “investment-friendly,” Garin responded with, “Definitely!”
She said one of the concerns of foreign investors is not being able to own land in the Philippines because the Constitution prohibits it.
“If you are an investor who owes you billions of capital, let’s say, electricity, water or internet connectivity. If you are going to put up your power plant, whether it be renewable energy or not, if that land is not yours, what will happen to your investment there?” Garin asked.
“So what you are saying is absolutely right, and we have to do that now because we have been left behind. We’re already left behind, we’re just catching up, keep trying. So if we cripple the legs of the Philippines trying to catch up, we really have nowhere to go,” she added.
She also criticized the recent Pulse Asia survey indicating a large majority of Filipinos not favoring amendments to the Constitution, saying the questions were crafted poorly.
Despite the survey indicating that 74 percent of respondents believe that the 1987 Constitution “should not be amended now nor any other time,” Dalipe argued that constitutional amendments are necessary to address the evolving needs of Philippine society.
“While we acknowledge the survey results, we cannot ignore the pressing issues that require legislative action,” he pointed out.
“Amendments to the Constitution are vital for addressing these challenges and ensuring the welfare of all Filipinos,” Gonzales added.
Suarez cited the role of economic amendments to the Constitution in fostering economic development.
“Amendments to the Constitution can create a conducive environment for investment and innovation, driving economic growth and prosperity for the nation,” he stressed.
Gonzales highlighted the relevance of constitutional amendments in addressing current societal needs.
“The 1987 Constitution was crafted in a different era. To effectively address the challenges of the present, we need a Constitution that reflects the realities of today,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Suarez outlined the significance of focusing on economic provisions and dispelling misconceptions surrounding the latest Cha-cha initiative.
“Ultimately, the intention behind economic Cha-cha is to empower Filipinos, strengthen our economy, and pave the way for a more prosperous future,” Suarez stated.
Suarez emphasized the importance of clarifying misconceptions and focusing on the economic aspects of the proposed amendments to garner broader support among the public.
Addressing concerns raised by critics, Dalipe reiterated that the proposed economic Charter amendment is not aimed at consolidating power or extending terms but rather at creating a conducive environment for economic growth and development.
“We need to focus on the economic provisions of the Constitution, which have long been identified as barriers to our progress,” Dalipe said.
Gonzales acknowledged the potential benefits of targeted constitutional amendments, such as attracting more investments, creating jobs, and improving the overall quality of life for Filipinos.
Suarez stressed the importance of public awareness and engagement in the discourse on constitutional reform to ensure that the proposed amendments align with the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people.
“By focusing on the economic provisions and clarifying misconceptions, proponents can work towards garnering broader support for targeted constitutional amendments that will benefit all Filipinos,” he said.