SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has welcomed the statement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressing the need and urgency for amending the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions.

“The President made it clear that these provisions hinder the entry of foreign investments and the potential for faster and inclusive economic growth, which in turn could translate into a better life for every Filipino,” Romualdez said.

“We are happy that he also took note of our consistent advocacy in the House of Representatives for changing those restrictive provisions for more than three decades since the 8th Congress, or since 36-37 years ago,” he added.

The Speaker also lauded the President’s firm assurance that his support for reform, to “extends to economic matters only…nothing more.”

President Marcos gave such assurance in his message as Guest of Honor and Speaker at the Constitution Day hosted by the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) and the Manila Overseas Press Club Thursday night at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati City.

“At the risk of being makulit, we have been saying that we do not advocate any political amendment,” said Speaker Romualdez, who is also the Philconsa President.

Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., also lauded President Marcos for declaring full support to the House of Representatives in its effort to reform the economic provisions of the Constitution.

“Changing the language of the Charter’s restrictive economic provisions to enable the country to attract more foreign investments can be the legacy of PBBM and the 19th Congress,” Gonzales said.

He said the President’s declaration ignites hope among House members and those advocating constitutional reform that “we can finish this within the term of the President and this Congress.”

“Palaging DOA ang adbokasyang into pagdating sa Senado. Ngayon, dahil sa full support ng Pangulong Marcos, ito ay buhay at sana’y matapos namin kaagad ang inaasahang reporma sa Saligang Batas para sa kapakanan ng bansa at ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

Gonzales also said that the House is not giving the Senate any deadline to finish deliberations on and pass Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s Resolution of Both Houses No. 6.

“The Senate president has a self-imposed timeline – adopt the resolution, to quote him, ‘this quarter, before the Holy Week break.’ We are just going by that pronouncement,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas