SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri underscored the need for a deeper study on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, citing a popular survey showing 88 percent of the people opposed to the Charter change (Cha-cha).
“We’re spending a lot of money and time on a very controversial measure, and then later on, matatalo lang (will be defeated). The “No” votes will win in a plebiscite… remember, it will go through a plebiscite,” Zubiri said in an interview after he was conferred the rank of lieutenant colonel as reserved officer of the Philippine Army in Camp Aguinaldo.
Zubiri also said if the Cha-cha will not get a majority vote in the plebiscite, all their efforts will be futile.
“Let’s study this carefully and let us not hurry,” the senator stressed.
He said initiative cannot be hastily done because the public should also know what are the good amendments in the Constitution.
“It’s not just saying ‘Let’s pass this’ because when the plebiscite comes, people might not be ready. The Charter change or amendments maybe rejected,” he added.
“So we will study this further and will continue the discussions this May,” Zubiri said.
According to him, the Senate subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes chaired by Senator Juan EdgardoAngara will have three more hearings: one in Baguio City, one in Cebu, one in Cagayan De Oro City.
Angara’s panel had already conducted three hearings on the proposed Resolution of Both Houses which seeks to amend the three restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution which pertains to public utilities, education, and advertising.
After the hearings, Zubiri said Angara will come out with a committee report.
Zubiri gave assurance that they will listen and consider the Pulse Asia Survey which indicated that nine out of 10 Filipinos or 88 percent do not believe in amending the Constitution.
“It will also be hard on the senators who are listening to all so it’s “going forward to our discussions in LuzViMin (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao).”
He said they will ask the people t if they want Cha-cha or not.
“We were elected by the Filipino people, we must listen to the pulse of the Filipino people,” Zubiri said.