Analysts say Senate likely to block House push to change 1987 Constitution

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

THE SENATE is likely to block a proposal to lift foreign ownership limits through changes to the 1987 Consitution, according to political analysts, just like it did in the past.

Senators are particularly concerned that congressmen might later lift political term limits, they added.

“They are saying this just to get support from the Senate,” Arjan P. Aguirre, an assistant professor of political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said, referring to the promise of some congressmen to limit Charter change to economic provisions.

“But once the Senate gives in and join the process of changing the Constitution, I expect the House to push their agenda of lifting political term limits immediately afterwards and assert their control of the process,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

Edmund Tayao, who teaches at the San Beda Graduate School of Law, also expects the Senate to buck the House Charter change push. “If we will use how they have been acting lately as a basis, then I think they won’t agree with it,” he said by telephone.

The Senate is particularly wary that congressmen would later introduce political changes to the Constitution for their own sake.

“They’re not going to allow it,” he said. “By all means, they are going to prevent it. If you change the economic provisions, you cannot avoid looking at the political provisions.”

“Because when you open up the economy, one requirement is for our political institutions to be not only credible — but also strong,” Mr. Tayao added.

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, who sponsored constitutional changes through Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, earlier ruled out changes to political provisions of the Constitution.

Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo, said he expects the Senate to propose a different version of Charter chage.

“The Senate is keen on asserting independence,” he said via Messenger chat. “The Senate wants their own set of ideas to clash with the House. If they make it easy, they will keep losing their ground moving forward.”

Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, dean of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, expects the Senate to also lift foreign ownership limits “as they specifically proposed these amendments.”

It is “very unlikely” for the House to push political changes to the Charter this early, he said in a Messenger chat. “It remains to be seen whether action will be taken after the break.”

Meanwhile, the House is expected to approve on final reading this week its economic Charter change proposal, before Congress goes on a Holy Week break, House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr. in a statement on Sunday.

Lawmakers will adjourn on March 23 until April 28 but said the House is no longer holding plenary sessions after Wednesday.

Congressmen last week approved on second reading Resolution of Both Houses No. 7 last week, which will open up public public utilities, education and the advertising to foreigners.

Under the proposal, the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” will be inserted in the Charter provisions that limit these sectors to Filipinos, giving Congress the leeway to liberalize these later.

Mr. Gonzales said the House stayed true to its commitment not to introduce political changes to the 37-year-old Constitution. Critics “should now shed their baseless suspicions and their fear of the unknown,” he said.