MANILA - A resolution calling for a constitutional convention (ConCon) to amend the 1987 Constitution hurdled committee level at the House of Representatives. During the hearing on Monday, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved the still-unnumbered resolution of both houses with 16 affirmative votes, three negative votes and one abstention. The ConCon will be composed of one delegate representing every legislative district in the country. "Among the three modes of amending the Constitution, the calling for a constitutional convention to propose amendments to the Constitution to be composed of elected delegates from all legislative districts of the country would be the most transparent, exhaustive, democratic and least divisive means of implementing constitutional reforms," the resolution read. The resolution cited studies showing that particular economic provisions of the Constitution need to be revisited and recrafted so that the Philippines may become glo
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.(PNA photo by Alfred Frias) MANILA - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. does not consider making amendments to the 1987 Constitution as one of the priorities of his administration. "It's not a priority for me because maraming ibang kailangang gawin (there's still so much to do).There are so many other things that we need to do first that we can achieve kung makukuha naman natin 'yung gusto (if we can get what we want) but within the way the constitution is written," he said in a media interview on a plane en route to Manila on Sunday following his five-day official trip to Japan. However, he acknowledged the House of Representatives' push for economic provisions in the 36-year-old Constitution to encourage investments that would stimulate economic activities, create job opportunities, reduce poverty and lower the prices of goods and services. "The reason that it's being talked about is because of the economic provisions
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (Photo courtesy of Office of Speaker) MANILA - Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday said congressional deliberations on the proposed Constitutional amendments are more focused now on the need to encourage investments that would further stimulate economic activities, create job opportunities, reduce poverty and lower prices of goods and services. "Thirty-six years after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, there are questions that linger in our minds. As we gathered here today, we continue to ponder. Is the Constitution still relevant to our people as they envisioned it to be? Is it still reflective of the aspirations and ideals of the Filipino people? Nilalaman pa rin ba nito ang pangarap ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (Does it still embody the aspiration of every Filipino family)?" Romualdez said in his speech at Malacanan Palace during observation of the Philippine Constitution Day. He said he and other House memb