Camille Naredo

Work is being done on the interiors of the Batasang Pambansa on July 15, 2024, as the House of Representatives prepares for the coming State Of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.

Work is being done on the interiors of the Batasang Pambansa on July 15, 2024, as the House of Representatives prepares for the coming State Of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CONGRESS-SONA

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — A measure seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution was revived on Tuesday at the House of Representatives.Ako Bicol Party List Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. filed the Resolution of Both Houses No.1 (RBH 1), which proposed to change certain territorial and economic provisions in the charter.Under the measure, the definition of National Territory on Article I is proposed to include “explicit references to the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Continental Shelf, and the West Philippine Sea” and clarify “the Philippines’ sovereign rights over these maritime zones in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and other applicable international laws”.“The national territory definition is silent on the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf na ipinanalo na natin sa arbitral tribunal… We should enshrine it in our Constitution,” Garbin explained.RBH 1 also proposed to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in economic provisions seen as “restrictive,” to allow Congress flexibility to legislate economic measures without needing constitutional amendments.These include the 60-percent Filipino citizenship requirement in the (1) “exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources, (2) transfer and conveyance of private lands, (3) operation of public utilities, and (4) ownership of educational institutions, other than those run by religious groups and mission boards.The phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” is also sought to be added in provisions regarding the 100-percent requirement in the ownership and management of mass media, and the 70-percent Filipino citizenship requirement to engage in the advertising industry.“These restrictive economic provisions only resulted into monopoly or oligopoly and do not favor competition sa ating mga public utilities,” Garbin explained.“Mayroon tayong Constitutional injunction doon sa foreign equity participation sa ating sectors of the economy. Ito ay naipasa na natin (sa Kamara) dalawang Kongreso na, but sadly, pagdating sa Senado, palaging nafu-frustrate,” he added.He said “some party leaders” at the lower chamber are supportive of his measure. There are some proposing to revise the Constitution through a Constitutional Convention. But Garbin prefers to do it via a Constituent Assembly. He also floated the idea of a “bicameral Constituent Assembly.”“Ang akin ay siguro Constituent Assembly nalang. Kasi ‘yung Consitutional Convention para sa akin, too expensive and too big and too long,” Garbin said.“Baka magkaroon din ng parang bicameral constituent assembly ‘to, kung sakaling umusad sa Senado at umusad sa House of Representatives, parang bicam, magkaroon ng harmonization of the conflicting provisions... Isa itong konsepto that can be explored,” he added.<div> </div><div>FOOT IN THE DOOR?</div>Garbin allayed the usual concerns that efforts to change certain economic provisions in the charter may also result in amendments to the political provisions.“In a constituent assembly, we can propose anything but conclude nothing, because there&#x27;s always this twin requirement, which is the proposal and the ratification of the sovereign Filipino people. So at the end of the day, it is the sovereign Filipino people who will approve or reject the same,” he stressed.“As of now, what we have filed is just for Article I, XII, XIV, and XVI. Conspicuously absent is the political provision. So walang ikababahala,” Garbin added, noting that those who intend to amend the political provisions need to file a separate RBH stating their proposal.Asked about the possibility of the measure being a “foot in the door” technique to amend other parts of the charter, Garbin said: “Let’s not entertain insinuations that are not supported by any evidence, documentary evidence.”Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. expressed support for renewed efforts to amend the Constitution, saying he is willing to co-author it.“Talagang dapat magkaroon tayo ng charter change. At dapat simulan na ngayon ‘yan, which is not actually delayed,” he said.“Palagay ko kung ang charter change would happen in the first year of Congress, baka may time… Ngayon, kahit may impeachment, kaya pa naman,” Abante added.

A measure seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution has been revived on Tuesday at the House of Representatives.

A measure seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution has been revived on Tuesday at the House of Representatives.

Solon revives bid to amend 1987 Constitution on territorial, economic provisions

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Solon revives bid to amend 1987 Constitution on territorial, economic provisions

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 15, 2025 04:47 PM PHT

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Alfredo Garbin Jr.

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