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Ni ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II
MISMONG ang mga ranking leader ng Kamara ang nanguna sa pagbasura sa panukalang pagpapalawig ng termino ng mga kongresista mula sa limang taon mula sa umiiral na tatlong taon, bilang bahagi ng isinusulong na Charter Change.
Ayon kay House Majority Leader at Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, naninindigan ang pamunuan ng Kamara laban sa anumang amyendang isusulong sa labas ng economic provisions na tinutulak ng administrasyon sa hangaring makaakit ng mas maraming dayuhang kapitalista.
“We are sticking with that advocacy, because that is what we think will be good for the country and that is what we believe the people will accept,” wika ni Dalipe.
“The proposed economic constitutional changes are by and largely supported by the business community and the public,” dagdag pa ni Dalipe.
Patunay dito ang pinakahuling survey ng prestihiyosong Tangere data research firm na nagsasabing anim sa bawat sampung Pilipino ang sumusuporta sa panukalang economic reforms pag-asang makakalikha ng mas maraming trabaho at negosyo – bukod pa sa bentahe sa ekonomiya ng bansa.
“While there is broad acceptance for these reform proposals, a proposed constitutional amendment that is political in nature, on the other hand, will surely divide our people. They will suspect self-interest as the motivation behind such a proposal,” dagdag ng Zamboanga City lawmaker.
Ang mungkahing term extension sa mga kongresista ay nakapaloob sa Resolution of Both Houses No. 8, na inihain Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Barba nitong Lunes.
Buwan ng Marso nang pagtibayin ng Kama sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa ang Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, na para sa economic Charter amendments.
“So those are the proposals of the House. Procedurally, I am not sure if we can entertain another constitutional amendment resolution, although I believe the House is inclined to confine itself to economic Charter reforms.”
