President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. personally directed the Senate to amend specific economic provisions stipulated under the Philippine 1987 Constitution, Senate President Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri said on Monday, January. 16.
In a press briefing, Zubiri said he together with Senate President Pro-Tempore Loren Legarda and House Speaker Martin Romualdez met with Marcos last January 11 to discuss concerns on the proposed amendment contained in the People's Initiative.
"The President agreed with us that the proposal was too divisive and asked the Senate instead to take the lead in reviewing the economic provisions of the Constitution. In this way, we can preserve our bicameral nature of legislation," he said.
Earlier this month, Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman revealed that congressmen launched a paid campaign to amend the Constitution through People's Initiative.
"Maganda ang direksyon ng pangulo and sabi niya sa akin at kay speaker: 'Why doesn't the Senate take the lead in the discussion of the economic provisions? And you approve your version which the House can adopt para hindi na tayo maglalagay pa ng kung anu-ano pang amendments na sa tingin natin ay magagalit ang taumbayan,'" Zubiri said.
Marcos, however, stood firm that the provisions restricting foreigners from owning land shall remain, according to the Senate President.
"We got the guide from the president. I hope that the president will not be upset if I share this information, pero si president mismo ayaw niya ng lupa na ibigay sa foreigners, siya mismo nagsabi," Zubiri said.
Fourteen other senators agreed to push for the review and modification of the economic provisions, except for Senator Risa Hontiveros.
"Nakuha ko ang full support ng majority members ng Senate. We also have a member of the minority there, Senator Risa Hontiveros. Of course, we said to her that we know and respect their position. But I want to be transparent that this discussion will be taking place once the Senate resumes on January 22," the Senate President said.
According to Zubiri, Senator Sonny Angara will lead the sub-committee on the committee on constitutional amendments in tackling the proposed amendment of specific economic provisions under the Constitution.
