House lawmakers downplay experts' warning vs proposed Cha-cha amendment | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
House lawmakers downplay experts' warning vs proposed Cha-cha amendment
MANILA — Several House lawmakers on Wednesday dismissed as "fearmongering" warnings by some legal experts against inserting the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law" in the economic provisions of the Charter.
MANILA — Several House lawmakers on Wednesday dismissed as "fearmongering" warnings by some legal experts against inserting the phrase "unless otherwise provided by law" in the economic provisions of the Charter.
On Tuesday, former Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares both raised concerns on the proposed amendment, saying it would concentrate too much power on Congress and expose it to lobby money.
On Tuesday, former Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno and Bayan Muna chairman Neri Colmenares both raised concerns on the proposed amendment, saying it would concentrate too much power on Congress and expose it to lobby money.
Puno, who suggested the outright deletion of the economic provisions, also said that the phrase would be "vulnerable to another constitutional challenge."
Puno, who suggested the outright deletion of the economic provisions, also said that the phrase would be "vulnerable to another constitutional challenge."
'Adaptability'
"With due respect to what he stated yesterday, sa akin ang tingin ko diyan pananakot lang yan eh," Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong said in a press conference.
"With due respect to what he stated yesterday, sa akin ang tingin ko diyan pananakot lang yan eh," Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong said in a press conference.
ADVERTISEMENT
"So, itong 'unless otherwise provided by law' walang masama po diyan basta't dumaan lang po ito sa plebisito," South Cotabato Rep. Peter Miguel said.
"So, itong 'unless otherwise provided by law' walang masama po diyan basta't dumaan lang po ito sa plebisito," South Cotabato Rep. Peter Miguel said.
Gonzales and other lawmakers maintained that the phrase only affords lawmakers flexibility and adaptability to adjust to the needs of the times
Gonzales and other lawmakers maintained that the phrase only affords lawmakers flexibility and adaptability to adjust to the needs of the times
"The sentence 'otherwise provided by law' provides us, the Filipino people, a little bit of leeway to maximize the investments that are coming into our country," Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said.
"The sentence 'otherwise provided by law' provides us, the Filipino people, a little bit of leeway to maximize the investments that are coming into our country," Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario said.
"It's flexibility and adaptibility," AnaKalusugan party-list Rep. Ray Reyes said.
"It's flexibility and adaptibility," AnaKalusugan party-list Rep. Ray Reyes said.
Meanwhile, lawmakers also claimed that there was no vested interest in their Charter change proposals.
Meanwhile, lawmakers also claimed that there was no vested interest in their Charter change proposals.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Hindi ko maintidihan kasi ano yung vested interest dito? Nakikita naman ng lahat na there are only 3 amendatory provisions that we're taking up," Gonzales said.
"Hindi ko maintidihan kasi ano yung vested interest dito? Nakikita naman ng lahat na there are only 3 amendatory provisions that we're taking up," Gonzales said.
Gonzales and other lawmakers were reacting to former President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that he supports Charter change so long as it is not for the vested interest of those in power.
Gonzales and other lawmakers were reacting to former President Rodrigo Duterte's statement that he supports Charter change so long as it is not for the vested interest of those in power.
Both the House and the Senate are tackling their own versions of economic Charter change.
Both the House and the Senate are tackling their own versions of economic Charter change.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was eyeing holding the Cha-cha plebiscite alongside the 2025 elections for practicality.
On Wednesday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he was eyeing holding the Cha-cha plebiscite alongside the 2025 elections for practicality.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
