Senators want Charter change to focus on economic provisions

Three senators on Monday said they support renewed calls to amend the Constitution, saying the reforms should focus on economic provisions and not on political clauses to lure foreign trade and investments. Amending the Constitution at this point in time can gain popular support, with President Aquino still enjoying a high approval rating. The move toward Charter change will not be seen as a more to extend the President’s term, the senators said. Senator Antonio Trillanes said the shipping industry, for instance, should be liberalized so that marine vessels in the country may be upgraded. This would mean recasting the existing cabotage principle to develop the industry and attract investments, according to the senator. Cabotage refers to trade or navigation in coastal waters. "Revising the economic provisions in the constitution should open domestic shipping and open the Philippine sealanes for trade and investments," said Trillanes.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV There have been initial talks between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte on amending the Constitution, said Senator Panfilo Lacson. Both legislative chambers have agreed that any plan on Charter change should focus on revising economic provisions, particularly those that cover foreign investments, Lacson said. "The Philippines needs to revisit the economic provisions in the constitution," Lacson said at the Kapihan sa Diamond forum on Monday. PHL needs catching up with neighbors Because the Philippines needs to do some catching up with its Southeast Asian neighbors, then globalization should prompt the changes particularly in the economic clauses, he said. A specific "deterrent to investors" is the national patrimony law that limits the ownership of companies to foreign investors to only 40 per cent. But then, Lacson said, the ownership limit makes it prone to abuse as foreigners simply assign dummies to gain majority ownership of Philippine companies. Senator Jinggoy Estrada meanwhile said the current political environment favors Constitutional change, with the majority of Filipinos trusting President Aquino. Past attempts to amend the Constitution were marred with political motives, Estrada said, citing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was widely seen as pushing for charter change to extend her term. Definitely, amending the Charter should be limited to its economic provisions and not for extending the terms of political leaders, Trillanes said. "If we will discuss amending the Charter, baka mabuhay si dating Pangulong Arroyo, mawala ang sakit," said Trillanes during the forum. "I agree with this (plan) but discussions should be limited to changing the economic provisions." President Aquino already said he does not have any plan for seeking reelection. This only means that the conditions really favor a push for amending the Constitution. — VS, GMA News