Critics of economic cha-cha remain vocal until end of RBH7 vote

MANILA -- House lawmakers who have been critical of economic charter change were vocal until the end, even after they lost the final vote on Resolution of Both Houses No. 7.

READ: House approves proposed changes to 1987 charter

While eight lawmakers voted in the negative, five spoke up to explain their votes: Albay Rep. Edcel  Lagman, Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado, and the Makabayan Bloc of House Deputy Minority Leader/ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel. 

Kabataan Partylist Congressman Raoul Manuel speaks during a protest rally led by members of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 18, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Lagman believes RBH 7 is flawed procedurally and substantially and expects it to die at the Senate, along with previous charter change proposals.

"Procedurally, because it does not follow any of the only three modes of amending or revising the Constitution. Substantially, because it forfeits Philippine posterity to foreign dominance in violation of the constitutional policy of developing an independent and self-reliant national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos," Lagman said.

Solon says House has no 'plan B' if Senate fails to deliver on economic cha-cha

"Momentarily, the approval today by the House of Representatives on third reading of Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 on economic cha-cha may be akin to Palm Sunday with a surfeit of hallelujahs, but in the Senate it may be like Good Friday." 

Bordado believes RBH 7 was not needed to achieve its goal of economic development. 

"These ends can be met without the proposed amendments proper implementation of the existing mechanisms is the key. Imagine the time, the effort and the resources that will be taken away to resolve more pressing matters  such as poverty alleviation, educational budget cuts and agrarian reform to name a few," Bordado said. 

Brosas believes foreign direct investments do not really solve the economy's problems. 

"Sa atin ng mahabang karanasan sa foreign direct investments, puro matatamis ngunit napapakong pangako ang dala nito. Mahal pa rin ang bilihin, serbisyo, at utilities gaya ng kuryente at tubig. Lubusang lumiit, kung hindi man tuluyang bumagsak ang agricultural and manufacturing sectors. Nananatiling pinakamahihirap ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda habang binabarat pa rin ang sahod ng mga manggagawa," Brosas said. 

(Experience shows foreign direct investments lead to broken promises. Inflation remains while agriculture and manufacturing shrink. Farmers and fisherfolk remain poor while workers have low wages.) 

Castro believes this shows lack of confidence in the ability of Filipinos. 

"Foreign companies come and go. Kapag napagkakitaan na nila ang mga Pilipino, aalis na sa Pilipinas." Castro said.

(Once foreign companies turn a profit, they leave the country.) 

Manuel believes the country lacks the necessary foundations. 

"Strong domestic foundations muna. Before China and Russia pursued the wrong expansions path and became strategic competitors of the US, umabante sila dahil ginamit nila ang kaban ng bayan para mamuhunan sa mga susing industriya. Pinatupad ang tunay na repormang agraryo kaya nakalikha sila ng mga dekalidad na trabaho para sa mamamayan nila," said Manuel.

(China and Russia relied on their state coffers to industrialize themselves, implementing agrarian reform which created quality jobs for their people.)

House eyes passing economic Cha-cha next week: solon

Two of the 288 who voted in favor of the bill spoke up, joining Speaker Martin Romualdez in justifying their support for the measure. 

"I believe that economic ideologies or economic models should not be enshrined in a written constitution The future generations of Filipinos should be given the freedom to decide on what path to economic development they want to pursue in accordance with the prevailing circumstances of their times," said Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Arnan Panaligan.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, meanwhile, saw the opportunity to pitch political amendments to the constitution next. 

"If it were up to me though, I would not stop at these proposed amendments. To me, the economic problems are more the result of certain political provisions," Barbers said. 

Barbers indicated a preference to address the frequency of elections and qualifications for elective positions as well as the multiparty system. 

In his adjournment speech, Romualdez hailed the vote as a "turning point" for the nation. 

"The proposed insertion of 'unless otherwise provided by law' into these provisions is a clear testament to our readiness to adapt to the dynamic global economy, ensuring that our legislative framework can swiftly respond to changing economic conditions while steadfastly safeguarding our national interests," said Romualdez.