Congressman: Senate ‘Cha-cha’ to only unlock 3% of economic output

A PHILIPPINE Senate proposal to ease economic restrictions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution would unlock 3.1% in economic output, which is not enough, according to a congressman.

“In agriculture, we have restrictive provisions on land ownership and land tenure [despite] having the biggest potential,” Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda told a news briefing in Filipino on Wednesday.

The lawmaker pushed the House of Representatives’ Resolution of Both Houses No. 2, which seeks to open the Philippines to foreign investments in agriculture, education, land lease and ownership, conveyance, media and advertising through constitution changes.

A similar Senate resolution seeks to open the country to investments only in public utilities, advertising and education.

Land ownership in the Philippines is limited to Filipino citizens and corporations that are at least 60% Filipino-owned. The Philippine Condominium Act allows foreigners to own units.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is against foreign ownership of land, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said earlier, citing potential problems in the government’s housing program, as well as a potential increase in land tax and prices.

“Our Southeast Asian neighbors don’t have any restrictions [in foreign investment,]” Mr. Salceda said in Filipino.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said he supports the Senate’s scheduled deliberations on its own Charter change (“Cha-cha”) resolution.

“As the Senate embarks on this momentous task, the House of Representatives stands ready to collaborate and contribute to this significant legislative endeavor,” he said in a statement.

Mr. Romualdez had helped the People’s Initiative for Reform Modernization and Action (PIRMA) to get signatures for Charter change, PIRMA lead convenor Noel Oñate told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.

Mr. Romualdez said he met with the group “in the spirit of open dialogue and understanding of civic actions spearheaded by our citizens.” “My role, as misinterpreted by some, is not as an orchestrator but as a facilitator for healthy democratic processes,” he said on Tuesday.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended proceedings on a people’s initiative for constitutional change.

Congressmen will wait until the commission lifts its suspension, Mr. Salceda said. —