Congress has multiple options to amend or repeal the Constitution’s “overly-protective” economic provisions, Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez told Daily Tribune yesterday.
And yet, according to the former actor, some lawmakers have abdicated that duty out of “petty” and “self-serving reasons.”
A proponent of Charter change, Gomez has expressed dismay over what he claimed to be the Senate’s lack of interest in moves by the House of Representatives to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“I understand the frustrations and disappointments that some members of Congress are feeling regarding the inaction of the Senate on the HoR’s proposed constitutional amendments,” Gomez said.
“This is also why we should educate our people when voting for our senators. Is it still for love of country or love of power?” he asked.
Senators have expressed reluctance to change the 36-year-old Constitution. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also expressed a lack of interest in cha-cha.
The President said the country has enough laws to make it a favored investment destination.
The House has approved the Resolution of Both Houses 6 and House Bill 7352 with a supermajority vote. The twin bills called for a constitutional convention or con-con as the route to cha-cha.
The House call apparently fell on deaf ears, with only four senators, namely Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald de la Rosa, Francis Tolentino and Robin Padilla, amenable to amending the constitution.
Among the economic provisions that some lawmakers want to be amended are the foreign ownership restrictions in certain industries like utilities and mass media, and the abolition of special economic zones.