By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — Albay Representative Joey Salceda expressed his support to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, saying that the Philippines has been left behind by its Asean neighbors.
Salceda said that the move will make the country more competitive and attract more foreign investment.
Salceda supported the President’s opinions, adding that the Philippines has not opened up to foreign investment and has already been already overtaken by its Southeast Asian neighbors in terms of development and competitiveness.
“Iyong ba talaga ang ano nila, hindi ba dapat ang debate nakakaganda na ito, okay ba sa inyo iyong Constitution na ito, na sarado ang Pilipinas napag-iiwanan ka. Ano na lang ba ang hindi natin mahabol, Cambodia iniwanan na tayo in five years. Dati una tayo diyan sa Thailand, naiwanan tayo,” the lawmaker said.
“Make a new Constitution, naiiwanan tayo ng isang country. Eh sabihin na nating walang mali sa Constitution… ang problema, iyong ibang countries may ginawang tama – nagbukas sila,” he said.
Salceda claims that restrictions on franchises, public utilities, property ownership, natural resources, mass media, education, and professional practice are impeding development-related investments.
(el Amigo/MNM)
