Romualdez: Zubiri to keep open mind on House push for economic reforms
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday bared that Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri informed him that he will keep an open mind on House proposal to push constitutional reforms through constitutional convention (con-con) to generate income and jobs for
Filipinos.
Romualdez said Zubiri phoned him Sunday to relay the message that he is just awaiting the report of the Senate committee on constitutional
amendments and revision of codes chaired by Sen. Robinhood Padilla.
“I had the privilege of talking with the Senate President over the phone today (Sunday), and we conversed briefly on the topic of constitutional reforms. SP Migz personally assured me that he will keep an open mind on the move by the House of Representatives to institute economic reforms through Constitutional amendments,” Romualdez said.
“He informed me that the Senate is awaiting the report of their Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, chaired
by Sen. Robinhood Padilla, for appropriate plenary action,” according to Romualdez.
Romualdez said the Senate President “relayed to me, however, that his colleagues are contemplating on re-scheduling the Senate committee hearing scheduled tomorrow (Monday).”
“I trust that other senators will continue to join SP Migz in keeping their mind open on amending restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution,” Romualdez said.
Earlier, 301 lawmakers led by House committee on constitutional amendments chairman and Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, Ako Bisaya Party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, and Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales had called on the senators to keep an open mind on con-con.
The House priority list includes Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, which calls for a con-con to propose changes in the “restrictive”
economic provisions of the Charter to enable the country to attract more foreign investments and its implementing measure, HB No. 7352.
The House voted 301-6 with no abstention to overwhelmingly approve RBH No. 6 on third and final reading. HB No. 7352 also hurdled third reading last Tuesday with 301 against seven votings.
