By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara on Tuesday (05 March 2024) reaffirmed his belief that basic education in the Philippines should not be opened to foreigners to protect nationalism in the basic education system.

“Sinisiguro natin na hindi bubuksan sa foreign investors ang basic education. Marami sa resource persons natin ang nagbanggit nyan. Marami sa kanila ang nagsabi na hindi dapat buksan,” Angara said on the continuation of the hearing of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6.

This was the reaction of the senator after the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that they were against the implementation of foreign ownership in the education system in the country, specifically their amendment to Paragraph 2, Sec. 4, Article 14 of the 1987 Constitution.

Angara said it is important to protect the values and national identity of Filipinos.

“Sa simula pa lang ng educational institutions session, sinabi na namin na hindi natin intesyon dito na buksan ang basic education dahil malaki ang pagpapahalaga natin sa values formation, nationalism at iba pang katangian ng mga Pilipino, tulad ng inyong mga nabanggit,” DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara said that the Senate has been eyeing to bring the Resolution of Both House (RBH) No. 6 on plenary before President Marcos delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July.

The RBH seeks to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly on public utilities, education, and advertising.

“Ang usapan namin is madala na namin sa floor before the SONA, for debate ng buong Senado,” Angara, who leads the Senate subcommittee leading the review of the Charter’s economic provisions, said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has already started its deliberations on the counterpart of the said resolution.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wants the plebiscite on Charter Change to be held in 2025, coinciding with the mid-term elections.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara has expressed his approval of the filing of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 in the House of Representatives, proposing amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Angara described this move as a positive step forward.

The senator was among the authors of RBH No. 6, the counterpart of RBH No. 7.

“To be honest, we were ahead. So, that’s good. For me, the filing of RBH7 is a positive development,” Angara remarked.

“It’s beneficial because instead of engaging in conflicts or daily press conferences targeting the Senate, it’s better to have hearings on RBH7 and discuss it,” he added.

“Congressmen, on their part, have the advantage of being in their districts. Thus, they can consult with their constituents.”

The economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, particularly Articles XII, XIV, and XVI, are the focus of RBH No. 6, which is currently under deliberation in the Senate.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara stated on Wednesday (07 Feb 2024) that the Senate cannot disclose its position on Charter Change (Cha-cha) at this time, as they still need to hear from experts during hearings.

The statement comes after House Majority Leader and Zamboanga lawmaker Mannix Dalipe’s call to disclose their position.

“Paano maglalatag ng posisyon ang mga senador eh kakasimula lang ng mga hearings kung saan papakinggan ang mga eksperto?” Angara said.

“Hindi basta-basta magdedesisyon ang mga senador sa tingin ko. Mag-iisip at makikinig muna sila. Sana ganun din sa HoR,” the lawmaker added.

The Senate has begun its deliberations on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, amending economic provisions.

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, on the other hand, said that “at the proper time, the vote in the Senate will be by roll call or nominal voting.”

“Hence, we will eventually be informed of each senator’s stand. At this stage, we are listening, and we should be allowed to keep an open mind,” added Pimentel.

“Otherwise, what is then the point of all these consultations if we have already made up our minds at this time?” he said.

(el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara stated on Monday (February 5, 2024) that discussions on Charter Change may wrap up by the last quarter of the year.

Angara clarified that there was no announcement that debates would conclude before the chamber’s Holy Week break.

“The deadline I have in mind is filing in October; by then, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will need to finalize,” Angara said.

“This is the constitution we’re talking about, not ordinary legislation. We want comprehensive discussions and understanding of the scope and coverage,” he added.

On Monday, the Senate initiated deliberations on amending the economic provisions.

(el Amigo/MNM)

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara on Thursday (01 Feb 2024) assured the public that the upcoming Senate hearing on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6, scheduled for Monday (05 Feb 2024) will exclusively focus on the three proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

As the leader of the subcommittee under the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, Angara emphasized, “No discussion of political amendments,” in a Viber message to reporters.

He further clarified that the discussion will be confined to the contents of RBH 6, a proposal he filed along with Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda.

Angara ensured that Constitutional experts would be invited to represent various sectors, fostering healthy discussion and debate.

RBH 6 specifically targets amendments to Section 11 of Article XII (National Patrimony and Economy), Paragraph 2, Section 4 of Article XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and Paragraph 2, Section 11 of Article XVI (General Provisions).

Zubiri explained that the amendment aims to “constitutionalize” the Public Services Act, currently under Supreme Court scrutiny, and streamline regulations to facilitate increased foreign investments in the country.

Anticipating the Senate’s deliberations on RBH 6, House Majority Leader Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe and NPC House bloc leader Rep. Jack Duavit expressed optimism that the discussions would elevate the discourse on amending the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Dalipe stated, “We welcome…let’s bring it out to a higher level of discussion, particularly the meat of the matter, the economic amendments to be made to help this country.” He affirmed the House’s patience in waiting for the Senate’s decision on the measure.

Duavit acknowledged the significance of the official deliberations on RBH 6, expressing, “This is a start of things simmering down and getting back to work, so we welcome it very much.” He emphasized that the House has already made its stance on RBH 6, leaving it to the Senate to decide on the measure.

The House leadership has committed to adopting RBH No. 6 once it receives approval from the Senate.

(By el Amigo/MNM)

By Liza Soriano

MANILA — Senator Sonny Angara suggested on Monday (18 Dec 2023) that the time might be ripe to revisit the 1987 Constitution, considering it as already a “vintage” document.

“I think it’s about time to reevaluate some of the provisions of the Constitution because it’s a 1987 vintage. It has been almost 40 years, and the world has changed significantly since 1987. Economic boundaries have come down,” remarked Angara.

In alignment with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Angara acknowledged the necessity of reviewing economic provisions.

“The Speaker mentioned the need to review economic provisions. So, I think that is something worth considering because we need some flexibility in that area as well,” he expressed.

Angara emphasized the importance of keeping the welfare of the nation and the Filipino people in mind for advocates of this potential constitutional movement.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed a contrary opinion, stating that Charter Change is not needed at this point.

“I believe we don’t need any amendments at this particular point in time,” Zubiri asserted.

(ai/mnm)

By Liza Soriano

Senator Sonny Angara has called on his colleague at the Upper House for the immediate passage of Senate Bill No. (SBN) 777 which seeks to implement early voting for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Under SBN 777 that he filed, the senator emphasized the importance of giving priority to the elderly and the disabled in voting precincts as they no longer keep up with regular voters who can stand longer in queues to vote.

Angara stressed this law must be implemented before the next election comes around in 2025.

“Tayo po ay natutuwa sa naging resulta ng pilot implementation na ito ng Comelec na nagpatupad ng mas maagang pagboto sa seniors at PWDs sa dalawang pilot cities. Malinaw na sa kabila ng kanilang kalagayang pisikal, naroon ang kanilang paghahangad na makaboto, kaya’t nararapat lamang na bigyan natin sila ng pribilehiyo,” he said.

In his proposed bill, the senator said it would be better if seniors and PWDs were given two days of voting within 15 days before the actual election day.

This is to make voting more comfortable for them and safe from any harm.

“Nakalulungkot ang mga balita na marami pa rin sa mga seniors natin ang pumila ng matagal sa mga presinto at kinailangan pa umakyat ng ilang palapag para lamang bumoto,” Angara said.

(ai/mnm)