DOF: Cha-cha move interesting initiative, merits further study

AMID the heated debate on whether there is a need for Charter change to institutionalize the Mandanas ruling, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III on Tuesday said these “deserve further study.”

As the country struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19, more than a thousand municipal mayors belonging to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines renewed their call for Charter change last week in a bid to institutionalize the Mandanas ruling and ease restrictions on foreign investments.

“They are interesting initiatives and deserve further study,” Dominguez told reporters in a message.

Asked if the government is ready to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Mandanas case, the finance chief added: “We will know what action to recommend to the President after the DBCC [Development Budget Coordination Committee] finishes the 2022 Budget.”

To recall, the Supreme Court declared that the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of all local government units (LGUS) must be based on the collections of all national taxes, and not only from the national internal revenue taxes collected by the government.

In voting 10-3, the SC partially granted the petition of thenbatangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas, who questioned the manner of allocating IRA funds for the LGUS.

The House Committee on Constitutional

Amendments is also set to convene to discuss the constitutional amendment proposals of the league of town mayors.

In February, the committee reconsidered the resolution of both houses seeking to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution to include the proposals of the Interagency Task Force (IATF), including the Mandanas ruling, which will increase the IRA.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, committee chairman, said he will call for a virtual meeting after Congress opens its second regular session on July 27, the same day that President Duterte delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address.

However, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon said there is no need for Charter change if only to “institutionalize” the Mandanas ruling because Supreme Court decisions already form part of the law of the land. Drilon, a former Justice secretary, cautioned lawmakers against heeding the supposed “clamor” from LGUS, as some quarters may just be interested in lifting term limits.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday also assured the public that the House will not railroad Charter change as it will take a “dual route” in amending the 33-year-old Constitution.

Bayan Muna Chairman Neri Colmenares and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on Monday also condemned the renewed efforts to push for Charter change.

Bernadette D. Nicolas