House pushes economic Chacha

HOUSE leaders on Monday vowed to convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution this year, saying it is a safer and more economical way to bring about reforms than a constitutional convention.

House Deputy Speaker Jesus Crispin Remulla and Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the revisions would focus only on the economic provisions.

By contrast, a constitutional convention would open up the entire Charter, including political provisions, to change.

“We really need Charter change, particularly on economic provisions. We need it done this year,” said Gonzales, a member of the ruling Liberal Party.

He said the House would ask to meet with the Senate to discuss issues that needed to be taken up before calling for a constituent assembly.

“We need fresh foreign capital to trigger economic activity and fund infrastructure to lure investments,” Gonzales said.

“Let us find out once and for all if our local businessmen can finance businesses and perk up the economy or if we would need to open up to foreign investors.”

Remulla, the party whip of the Nacionalista Party, said a constituent assembly would be more efficient than a convention of elected delegates.

He said Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. would put the issue of Charter change on the table so that the House could decide whether it should be made a priority.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III said Charter change was not a priority of his administration, There were other more pressing issues that needed attention.

But Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez, a member of the Lakas-Kampi CMD, said the government no longer had any reason to delay Charter change.

“When the previous administration was pushing for it, they opposed it, saying the timing was wrong and that [it should be done] after the 2010 elections,” Alvarez said.

“Now is that time. The country needs Charter change now. Let the debate begin.”

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, said the hearings on Charter change would begin next month.

“It is the prerogative of Congress to initiate Charter-change hearings,” she said.

“It might not be a priority for the Executive branch, but it will be among the priorities of the legislative branch.”

Unlike the congressmen, however, Santiago said she favored a constitutional convention, with delegates elected during the 2013 elections.

“These constitutional exercises cost a lot of money, so it is better to make them coincide with national elections,” she said.

Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms, said the House wanted to limit the focus of constitutional change.

“We want the economic provisions revised but not a complete overhaul of the Constitution,” he said.

“The constituent assembly is most practical and economical and would spare the country billions in expenses.”

A House initiative to call a constituent assembly last year triggered a heated debate over whether the House and Senate would vote on amendments jointly or separately. A joint vote would favor the House, which outnumbers the Senate 283 to 23. Senators have consistently insisted on a separate vote.

The other contentious issues that need to be resolved are which utilities and businesses would be opened up to 100-percent foreign ownership, and if the Charter-change exercise would lift the term limits of those already in office. –Christine F. Herrera, Manila Standard Today