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— The Editors

Ilonggos open to Constitutional amendments

By Perla Lena

February 13, 2023, 6:45 pm

<p><strong>PUBLIC CONSULTATION</strong>. The Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives holds a Public Consultation on Constitutional Reform in Iloilo City on Monday (Feb. 13, 2023). The consultation hears the pulse of the people on the proposed amendment of the economic provision of the Constitution and the manner it will be amended. <em>(PNA photo by PGLena)</em></p>

PUBLIC CONSULTATION. The Committee on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives holds a Public Consultation on Constitutional Reform in Iloilo City on Monday (Feb. 13, 2023). The consultation hears the pulse of the people on the proposed amendment of the economic provision of the Constitution and the manner it will be amended. (PNA photo by PGLena)

ILOILO CITY – The proposed amendment of the 1987 Constitution has received a favorable response from various sectors in Western Visayas region who gathered here for the Public Consultation on Constitutional Reform on Monday.

Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro said there is a need to amend the Constitution because of its restrictive provisions, adding that it is time to listen to a more liberal position.

“We have to amend the Constitution because we have not moved since then because of the very restrictive Constitution we have. If our Constitution is already 36 years old, it is now 36 years that our country has not moved because the people of this country listened to the opposition,” he said.

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao brought with her officials of the province’s 18 municipalities to express their support for the proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores is hopeful of negotiating with foreign investors to help their province once the Constitution, particularly its economic provision, is amended.

“It can be beneficial for us to have this amended. In terms of national tax allotment, I hope this can be tackled to give more resources to our barangays and municipalities, especially our small municipalities,” he said.

In an interview, Iloilo 3rd district Representative Lorenz Defensor, who sits as senior vice-chairperson of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, said they are holding the consultation to hear the sentiments of the people from Western Visayas.

He said there are economic provisions that limit foreign ownership such as on public utilities.

The legislator said his district is one of those that can benefit from the amendment, especially since it is located in a mountainous area and 60 percent of the area has no telecommunication signal.

Ormoc Rep. Richard Gomez, in a press conference, said all sectors of society and all levels of the working class could benefit from the proposed amendment.

“We must understand that if we have foreign direct investors, it is the local government unit who will benefit from it, the people working in corporations,” he said.

Monday’s activity is the second of the big consultations being conducted by the committee.

There will also be more minor consultations to be done by the members of the House back in their respective districts.

Gomez added that they hope to complete the consultations before the barangay elections in October so people can choose their delegate for the Constitutional amendments simultaneous with the holding of the barangay elections.

Another consultation will be conducted in Pampanga province on Friday. (PNA)


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