Robin

Enrile lends insights on Cha-cha hearings

March 22, 2023 PS Jun M. Sarmiento 228 views

SENATOR Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla presided over the continuation of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Codes’ hearing on the proposed amendments or revisions to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional convention (Con-con).

During Wednesday’s hearing on March 22, 2023, Padilla, at the onset, allowed Presidential Chief Legal Adviser and former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to share his insights and discuss the present economic landscape of the country.

Padilla expressed the belief that Enrile can give “valuable contributions” to the discussion on proposed amendments to the Constitution due to his personal experience in legislation and in public service.

“This will be a historical meeting and discussion with the presence of a former Senate President who will be sharing his personal experience, knowledge, and wisdom [with] the committee,” Padilla said.

The former Senate President lent his expert opinion on Constitutional changes during the public hearing on a proposal to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution.

“The Constitution is the ultimate legal organ of our society. It is the organizing document for the Republic of the Philippines. And you cannot modify it unless you go through Con-Ass (Constitutional Assembly) or Con-Con (Constitutional Convention) or ‘People’s Initiative,’” Enrile, who was the former Defense minister of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., said during the hearing.

Enrile expressed the need to amend the Constitution, especially the economic provisions while clarifying that he was not speaking on behalf of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

Enrile, who just turned 99 years old last February, also insisted on the need to delete the restrictions on the presence of nuclear weapons in the country.

Enrile said it is high time that we consider amending this provision that restricted the country from owning nuclear weapons.

He said it is the only way for a small country to protect itself from possible invaders.

He further said that nuclear weapons are the country’s only defense against foreign threats.

As well, Enrile said nuclear is also an alternative fuel to boost electricity generation citing that oil and gas are getting expensive.

He also urged Congress to choose to do what was right for the country and the Filipino people.