FOLLOWING the final approval, the House of Representatives has ordered the immediate transmittal to the Senate the Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 and House Bill 9710.

Approved on third and final reading, the RBH No. 7 proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. The measure got 288 affirmative votes with eight against and two abstention.

The principal authors include Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, and other House leaders.

Speaker Romualdez reiterated that the proposed economic amendments to the Constitution are the “last piece in the puzzle of investment measures” the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been taking “to sustain our economic growth, create more job and income opportunities, and in general, make life better for Filipinos.”

“These changes, if ratified by our people in a plebiscite, will greatly boost these measures, including our President’s investment missions abroad which have generated actual investments and pledges in the billions of dollars and created thousands of jobs,” he said.

The approval by Congress and by the people of the proposed amendments “will send a powerful message to foreign investors and the international community that the Philippines is now fully open for business and for investments,” he said.

On the other hand, HB 9710 seeks to revoke the franchise of the Swara Sug Media Corp, which operates the Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).

The measure, which repeals Republic Act (RA) No. 11422, got 284 affirmative votes, four negative and four abstention.

Those who voted no to revocation are Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte; former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Duterte Youth party-list Rep. Drixie Mae Cardema and Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo.

The revocation of SMNI’s franchise was prompted by a series of violations, including spreading fake news, involvement in red-tagging, and committing serious corporate offenses.

Romualdez defended the revocation of SMNI’s franchise, calling it a “decisive action” that “underscores our commitment to uphold the integrity of broadcasting standards and the public’s trust.”

“Tinutupad lamang po natin ang mandatong ini-atang sa atin ng Konstitusyon at ng taongbayan. Walang personalan dito. Trabaho lang,” the Speaker added.

SMNI openly admitted to transitioning from a non-stock, non-profit corporation to a sole corporation under Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in 2006.

Later, in 2023, the controlling stake was transferred to Bro. Marlon Acobo, with both transactions taking place without obtaining congressional approval.

Section 10 of RA 11422 stipulates the requisite congressional approval for such changes, explicitly prohibiting the sale, lease, transfer, or assignment of the franchise without prior congressional consent.

The same section mandates informing Congress within 60 days of any transaction involving the franchise’s sale, lease, transfer, or assignment.

Failure to report such changes of ownership, as mandated by Section 10, automatically triggers the revocation of the franchise.