Romualdez on economic Cha-cha: I’m sure the Senate will consider it

House Speaker Martin Romualdez is optimistic that proposed amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution will make progress in the Senate amid the recent leadership shakeup. 

Romualdez said whatever will be beneficial to the public will be considered by the upper chamber under the leadership of Senate President Francis Escudero. 

“The economic amendments to the Constitution, we will leave that up to our friends in the Senate, dun pa naka-pending (it’s still pending there),” Romualdez told reporters.

“Sa akin naman basta kung anong makakabuti sa taong-bayan (For me, whatever will be beneficial to the people), we feel that economic reforms and amendments can do that, I’m sure that the Senate will consider it.” 

Resolution of Both Houses 7 – which seeks to remove the 40% foreign ownership limit for public utilities, education, and advertising firms under the Constitution —was already approved on final reading by the House.  

It remains at the committee level in the Senate.

Escudero has always been vocal in his opposition to the Charter change. But he said on Monday the plans on Cha-cha will be discussed by the majority bloc.

The new Senate President also said that the scheduled committee hearings on economic Cha-cha will no longer push through after the resignation of Senator Sonny Angara as the chairperson of the Senate subcommittee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Dalipe remains optimistic that the economic Cha-cha will take “positive strides” in the Senate despite Escudero’s opposition to such amendments. —Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News