Published January 13, 2021, 6:57 PM
Economic experts threw Wednesday their all out support to the House of Representatives’ efforts to amend the restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to make Philippines “more foreign investment-friendly” and to “accelerate” the country’s economic recovery.
Former National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Dr. Ernesto Pernia said it is “right time” to launch the economic Charter change.
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“Because as you can see, although the economy has really been clobbered by the pandemic, it is recovering slowly––it is getting out of the hole little by little––and we need to accelerate that getting out of the hole,” he told the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments’ first hearing on Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, principally authored by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 8) President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish of amending the Constitution to abolish party-list groups allegedly supportive of the communist movement does not sit well with some lawmakers and political analysts.
Duterte in a November 2020 meeting with lawmakers “suggested” that constitutional provisions on the party-list system be changed, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has disclosed. Duterte believes party-list lawmakers, particularly those from the minority Makabayan bloc, are legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army. The Makabayan bloc has decried this red-tagging.
This allegation should not lead to charter change, Michael Yusingco, legislative and policy consultant, told CNN Philippines. Amending the constitution must come from a thorough and rational discussion of reasons.
Published January 8, 2021, 5:03 PM
The Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) has expressed support for an initiative to hold hearings on Constitutional Amendments with the objective of amending the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.
But FEF also equally stressed the need to introduce the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” as called for by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s Joint Resolution No. 2.
FEF, which is chaired by former Finance Secretary Roberto de Ocampo, said the phrase should apply to the Constitution’s paragraph 1, Section 2 of Article XII (National Patrimony and Economy), which provides for the exploitation of natural resources only to corporations whose capital is owned sixty percent by citizens.
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Senate Bill 1931 was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 15 “to allow the continuous titling of public alienable and disposable agricultural lands beyond December 31, 2020 and ultimately preserve the security of tenure of land claimants and farmers.”
The certification authorized the Senate to approve the bill on second and third reading on the same day, allowing for faster passage of the measure.
“We want to manifest that we have reviewed the proposed measure. We find it necessary and urgent, and we have no questions and interpellations,” Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon said.
Press Release
SENATE APPROVES GORDON S BILL THAT SIMPLIFIES LAND TITLING TO HELP FARMERS
The Senate passed on Tuesday Senator Richard J. Gordon s bill that simplifies the procedure and requirements in granting land titles to help rural farmers secure land certificates easily.
Senate Bill No. 1931 was certified as urgent by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 15 to allow the continuous titling of public alienable and disposable agricultural lands beyond December 31, 2020 and ultimately preserve the security of tenure of land claimants and farmers.
The certification authorized the Senate to approve the bill on second and third reading on the same day, allowing for faster passage of the measure.