A resolution seeking to amend certain economic provisions under the Philippine 1987 Constitution was filed in the Senate on Monday, January 15.
Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, authored by Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri, Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda, and Senator Sonny Angara, proposed to review and rewrite provisions focusing on advertising, education, and public services.
According to the Senators, reforms are needed to meet the "demands of this increasingly globalized age, while still protecting the general policy of Filipino-first."
"There is a need to institutionalize the reforms laid down in the Public Service Act to liberalize industries, promote efficient service delivery, and foster competition as an enduring policy," they added.
Zubiri, Legarda, and Angara seek to amend the following sections under the Philippine 1987 Constitution:
- Section 11 of Article XII (National Patrimony and Economy)
- Paragraph 2, Section 4 Article XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports)
- Paragraph 2, Section 11 of Article XVI (General Provisions)
Once Senate Resolution No. 6 receives a 3/4 vote or 18 out of 24 Senators voting yes, the House of Representatives shall adopt this.
WATCH: SP Juan Miguel Zubiri, inihain ang Resolution of Both Houses Number 5.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 15, 2024
Ayon kay Zubiri, ito ay para sa pagbabago ng mga Economic Provisions ng Saligang Batas.
“Ito ay upang maiwasan ang Constitutional Crisis” sabi ng Senador. | via @RaymundDadpaas, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/dnTXSfx69A
This is not the first time that a resolution seeking amendments to the Philippine 1987 Constitution was proposed in the Senate.
In 2023, Senator Robinhood 'Robin' Padilla, who chairs the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, filed a Resolution of Both Houses No. 3 pushing for charter change through Constituent Assembly or Con-Ass.
His amendment also focuses on amending the economic provisions in order to lift the restrictions that prohibit foreign investors from investing in the country.
However, Padilla's proposal only received support from his allies in the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino -Laban, Senators Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino, and Lawrence Christopher ‘Bong’ Go.
