The proposed changes for the 1987 Constitution will only be limited to economic provisions and will not be political, Senator Robin Padilla clarified during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, Feb 22.
"At asahan niyo po ako, hanggang diyan [economical provision] lang. Hindi po ako papayag [na magiging politikal]. Ako po'y mag-iingay kapag ang usapan dito’y napunta na sa pulitika. Maniwala po kayo sa akin, hindi po ako kapit-tuko sa posisyon na ‘to," he said.
Padilla also asked the public to take his word as a revolutionary than a politician.
"Kunin na lang po ninyo ang salita ng isang rebolusyonaryo. Ako po’y hindi politiko. Ako po’y pinilit lang na pumasok dito sa pulitika. Ako po ay nananatiling rebolusyonaryo hanggang sa oras na ‘to," he added.
He believes that his proposal will ease the sufferings of the Filipinos after other politicians' efforts and attempts to change the Constitution.
Padilla also underlined that opening the Philippines to foreign investors is the only way, citing other successful countries after implementing the said provision.
As the head of the Senate committee on constitutional amendment, he previously filed a resolution seeking to convene both chambers of Congress to conduct a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) and discuss the economic reforms in the Constitution.
He was eager to push for charter change (Cha-cha) despite President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s pronouncement that this proposal was not his priority.
