Efforts to amend the constitution progress in the Philippines

The push for amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution has gained momentum with the backing of the leadership from both houses of Congress, despite concerns about potential political discord and public dissatisfaction.

There are three primary avenues for constitutional change: electing delegates in a Constitutional Convention, Congress convening into a Constituent Assembly, and soliciting signatures from voters in support of a People’s Initiative. Remarkably, the current Charter Change (ChaCha) initiative is earnestly pursued through all three channels by various political factions and lawmakers.

In March 2023, the House of Representatives passed a resolution advocating for the election of a Constitutional Convention. Later that year, reports emerged of local officials organizing assemblies to gather signatures in support of a People’s Initiative. Surprisingly, this month, the Senate President responded by filing a resolution calling for a review of the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Past attempts at ChaCha have faltered due to strong public resistance, including opposition from members of the Senate. Crafted in the wake of the 1986 People Power Revolution, the current Constitution embodies provisions born from the struggle against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the current president. These provisions include bolstering the Bill of Rights, granting Congress authority to review Martial Law declarations, prohibiting foreign bases, and imposing term limits on elected officials.

Previous ChaCha proponents, largely comprising politicians and allied members of the ruling party in the House of Representatives, were accused of seeking to prolong their hold on power by either removing term limits or transitioning to a parliamentary government, which could entail the Senate’s abolition.

Subsequent proposals focused on altering the economic provisions of the Constitution, primarily to remove restrictions on foreign ownership of land and corporations. Proponents of this “economic ChaCha” argue that it would stimulate foreign investment, thereby fostering economic progress and job creation. However, skepticism persists among Senators and the public regarding the true motives and backers of this endeavor, as there are concerns that a Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Convention could expand the scope beyond economic matters.

Furthermore, recent legislative measures have already relaxed restrictions on foreign ownership in certain sectors, raising questions about the necessity of further constitutional amendments.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s proposed resolution, seemingly endorsing “economic ChaCha,” has alarmed opposition members. Senator Risa Hontiveros cautioned against the ChaCha initiative, describing it as treacherous, impractical, divisive, and unwise. She cautioned against potential hidden agendas and power struggles underlying the campaign.

In contrast, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the president’s first cousin, welcomed the Senate resolution, highlighting the importance of unity in pursuing ChaCha. However, recent allegations of public funds being used to incentivize support for the proposed People’s Initiative have drawn criticism, even from within the ruling coalition.

Members of the Duterte family, including Davao Congressman Paolo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, have publicly opposed ChaCha, citing concerns about its potential to perpetuate power among a select few. Their stance reflects a growing rift within the ruling coalition, particularly between their faction and Speaker Romualdez.

Politics News: Efforts to amend the constitution progress in the Philippines