MANILA: The proposal calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the 1987 Constitution inched closer to final approval after the House of Representatives passed the resolution on second reading Tuesday.
During the plenary session, the chamber approved the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 through voice voting.
Under the resolution, the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a vote of two-thirds of all its members, shall vote separately to call a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing economic amendments to, or revision, of the 1987 Constitution.
The resolution also stipulates that the election and appointment of delegates shall be held on Oct. 30, 2023, simultaneous with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
The con-con will be composed of appointed and elected delegates from all legislative districts of the country.
Cagayan de Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez said the con-con mode would be the "most transparent, exhaustive, democratic and least divisive means of implementing constitutional reforms."
He said the Constitution needs to be reviewed, claiming it is the third most restrictive in the world and the most restrictive in Southeast Asia.
Citing a graph from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development in 2020, Rodriguez noted that the Philippines is the most restrictive in terms of foreign equity capital which is enshrined in the Constitution.
"Although the restrictions on foreign ownership are designed to prioritize Filipino citizens, it is noted, however, that the country sorely lacks the requisite capital to boost our economy and develop our natural resources. It is high time to liberalize such restrictions in order to encourage the free flow of capital in the country and pave the way to global competitiveness," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said the whole exercise surrounding con-con may cost at least PHP10 billion but the amount is “a small price to pay” to open up the economy to more foreign direct investments (FDIs).
Senior Minority Leader and Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Ruiz Daza voted against con-con, saying constitutional assembly (con-ass) is more “practical, expedient and transparent.”
Daza said con-con is a “free for all” which opens up the possibility of a complete Constitutional overhaul.
He said con-ass has “minimal or no cost” to the government, adding that the PHP10 billion to PHP15 billion that would be spent for con-con would be better spent for scholarships and medical assistance.
“It would go a long way to help the average Filipino,” he added.
Daza also said con-ass will foster less controversy.
“The process of choosing the representative delegates to this con-con may become another opportunity for divisiveness,” he said. “While I appreciate the good intentions, a potentially divisive and costly exercise at this point may do more harm than good.”
Source: Philippines News Agency