Published May 26, 2021, 10:15 PM
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 26 took a big step in amending the 1987 Constitution by passing on second reading a resolution calling for the revision of economic provisions of the 33-year-old Charter.
In a viva voce vote, Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 won second reading approval. Third reading is expected next week.
Sponsored by the House Committee on Constitutional Reforms chaired by Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, RBH No. 2 seeks to empower Congress to lift constitutional restrictions on foreign investments embodied in the Charter.
Under the legislative measure, the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” ” will be added to sections in Articles 14 and 16 dealing with the control and ownership of alienable lands of public domain, natural resources, public utilities, educational institutions and mass media.
Published February 16, 2021, 4:47 PM
The unanimous decision of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal to junk the election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo should now put to rest any doubts about her election victory.
Vice President Leni Robredo addresses the public on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, after President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction that she be removed as co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD). (Photo by Charlie Villegas / OVP)
This was the consensus among a number of congressmen who lauded the Supreme Court justices for resolving complaint filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. who ran against Robredo during the presidential elections.
Published January 7, 2021, 3:12 PM
With just over a year left in the six-year term of President Duterte to pursue his Charter change bid, an ally in the House of Representatives said the renewed initiative for amendments to the 1987 Constitution will not likely succeed under a COVID-19 situation that continues to grip the country.
Anakalusugan Party-List Rep. Mike Defensor
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said that it is still “not the right time” for Charter reform that is being strongly pushed by staunch Duterte allies Senators Ronaldo de la Rosa and Francis Tolentino.
The two senators filed a resolution proposing to convene the two Houses of Congress into a Constituent Assembly to consider certain amendments to Charter provisions.
MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO
Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin who was elected Wednesday to head the committee said he expects a busy year as the panel will have its hands full conducting hearings and deliberation on 13 pending Charter change proposals.
Garbin gave up his membership in the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal to become chairman of the committee. He replaced as chairman Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, now a deputy speaker.
“Restrictive economic provisions are what we are eyeing (to take up) due to the fact that the same no longer conform to the needs of time,” said Garbin in a text message.
MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO
Before adjourning for the Christmas break on Wednesday, the Lower House majority decided to relieved Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Michael Defensor as chairman of the House Committee on Public Trust.
Elected to replace Defensor was Ako Probinsyano Partylist Rep. Bonito Singson, a former assistant minority leader, who is a close ally of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Defensor accepted his fate but aired his grievance of not being informed about his relief before Singson’s appointment was announced on the floor.
Singson said he is optimistic Defensor will continue to play an active role in pursuing legislation that would guarantee public accountability in government. He noted that Defensor has accomplished so much in ensuring honest and clean governance.