‘Senators agreed to economic amendments’

SENATE President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said on Thursday that proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution will be limited to economic matters.

“The Senate through almost all the senators I had spoken to and met with only agreed to economic amendments and that’s why the public need not fear our push for simple but meaningful amendments to the Charter,” Zubiri said.

The senator earlier said he would resign as Senate president if proposals to amend the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution hurdled the upper chamber of Congress.

“I shall risk my leadership on that. No other motives whatsoever,” he added.

On Monday, Zubiri filed Resolution of Both Houses No. 6, which seeks to introduce amendments in the charter’s provisions on operation of public utilities, education services, and players in the advertising industry.

Senate President Pro Tempore Lorna Regina “Loren” Legarda and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara co-authored the resolution proposing amendments to the Articles 12, 14, and 16 of the Charter.

Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, welcomed Zubiri’s move.

“This is good news for the nation. Our economy will be revitalized, and this will lead to progress in the lives of Filipinos,” Padilla said in a statement.

Amendments to the Constitution could also be proposed through people’s initiative, upon a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters and at least 3 percent of each district’s voters.

These shall only be valid though when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite.

Zubiri said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. does not support the people’s initiative scheme to amend the Constitution.

Through people’s initiative, the House of Representatives with its over 300 members could overwhelm the vote of the Senate with only 24 members.

Zubiri urged the public to “listen to the President.”