MANILA – Leaders of the House of Representatives urged the Senate on Thursday (30 May 2024) to act on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions, following a new nationwide survey showing majority support for these changes.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales Jr. emphasized the need for the Senate to heed public opinion. He cited a recent poll by big data research firm Tangere, conducted from May 21 to 25, which revealed that 57 percent of Filipinos favor amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

“New Senate President Francis Escudero should address what his predecessor could not, and it should be done promptly,” Gonzales stated.

The House of Representatives had already passed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 its version of the economic Charter change in March this year. However, the Senate’s counterpart, RBH No. 6, remains pending.

Gonzales pointed out that RBH No. 6 is currently “in limbo” due to recent changes in the Senate leadership. The resignation of Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, former chairman of the Senate special committee on constitutional amendments, has disrupted public consultations. Angara, along with Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Loren Legarda, who also resigned from her Senate post, were the authors of RBH No. 6.

“We are uncertain about the future of RBH No. 6, considering its authors have stepped down,” Gonzales added.

Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe expressed optimism that the Senate could pass RBH No. 6 after the third and final regular session of the 19th Congress convenes in July. However, he cautioned that the opportunity for approval is narrowing, as the election campaign season for the May 2025 elections will begin once candidates file their certificates of candidacy in October.

“Post-October, legislative accomplishments will be minimal. That’s the reality we face,” Dalipe noted.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez urged the new Senate leadership to prioritize RBH 6 amid the recent turmoil in the upper chamber. “Senate President Escudero needs to focus on this critical issue,” he said.

The Tangere survey highlighted the perceived benefits of the amendment proposals: job creation (72 percent), higher economic growth (68 percent), increased salaries and benefits (67 percent), and lower prices of goods and services (63 percent). The survey included 1,500 mobile-based respondents.

Tangere, a market research firm owned by Acquisitions Apps, Inc., began as an opinion poll survey before the Covid-19 pandemic. It utilizes mobile application technology, social media engagement, and big data analytics.

(el Amigo/MNM)