PCCI to ‘lobby’ with Senate on economic reform
OFFICERS and members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) have promised to convince senators of “the need for changes” in the economic provisions of the Constitution, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez said Tuesday.
He said the commitment was made during his recent exchange of views with them on the constitutional amendment initiative of the House of Representatives.
He said he presented the rationale of the initiative and the planned amendments to the Charter’s “restrictive” economic provisions during the meeting held at PCCI’s request.
“The proposed amendments are aimed at opening the country to more foreign investments. These amendments are data-driven and evidence-based. These will lead to more jobs and income for the Filipino people, and will reduce unemployment,” he stressed.
Rodriguez added that after the presentation, the PCCI “was convinced of the need to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.”
“Their fears were also assuaged when it was made clear that only the economic provisions will be amended,” he said.
He said the House, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, would ensure that “no political amendment proposal would be entertained.”
“The PCCI also committed to [coming] out with a statement supporting Charter change. They further committed to speak with senators and voice out their support and try to convince the senators of the need to have these amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution,” he said.
Earlier, Rodriguez urged the Senate to tackle the House constitutional amendment resolution soon, saying Congress is “fast running out of time” on the proposed economic reform in the Constitution.
He said the second regular session that starts in July this year should be the deadline for the two chambers to finish the Charter change.
Lawmakers would already be preparing for the 2025 election campaign during their third and last regular session, which opens in July next year, he said.
Among those who attended the PCCI Charter change forum were the group’s president, George Barcelon, Benedicta Du-Baladad, PCCI director; Anthony Bengzon, co-chair, PCCI legislation committee; Calixto Chikiamco, co-chair, legislation committee; Alberto Fenix Jr., president, PCCI Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc; Ruben Pascual, PCCI secretary general, and Ferdinand Ferrer, director for digital innovation, PCCI science and technology committee.
