We Denounce the Sneaky Approval of RBH 0001 on Second Reading

Change the Form of Government, not the Economic Provisions of the Constitution

 By: Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC)

The Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC) denounces the sneaky approval last week of Resolution of Both Houses 0001 (RBH0001) on second reading in the House of Representatives.

Instead of having an open debate on the Resolution, this was quickly passed by the plenary when the public’s attention was on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). 

RBH0001 seeks the amendment of particular provisions of the 1987 Constitution through the insertion of the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in several of its key economic policies. Through this insertion, the resolution effectively removes the permanence, predictability, and protection provided by the Constitution. If the measure succeeds in passing, the limits provided by the Constitution on foreign ownership of lands, natural resources, public utilities, media, educational institutions, and other critical industries will be rendered inutile, as the same would be subject to the whims of Congress and the personal agendas carried by its individual members.  The sneaky manner by which RBH 0001 was approved on Second Reading last week is a clear preview of what will happen should Congress approve that resolution. 

It is also important to point out that the root cause of the low inflow of foreign investment into the country is not the constitutional restrictions; but rather the entire architecture of the political system in the country which promotes and nurtures patronage based, elitist, manipulative and corrupt politics and the ensuing neglect of critical infrastructure in the country.

We in C4CC doubt whether foreign investment will come into the country as a result of the changes in the economic provisions of the constitution. Our country is already one of the most open economies in the world. Compared to many of our trade and investment restrictive neighbors such as China, Vietnam and Indonesia, movement in liberalizing foreign investment in the Philippines has been marked, consistent and applauded by the international business press.

Opening up the opportunity of ownership and industrial competition to foreign entities will further complicate the still-unsettled issues of land distribution, agricultural reform, and poverty. Especially since we are still a developing country, we cannot afford to lose control over and derive benefit from our lands and natural resources.

Reform the political system, not the national economy and patrimony provisions.  This should be done through an elected Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) which is more participatory, objective and deliberative.

In conclusion, we disagree with the motive and means behind RBH0001. The fundamental issue on Constitutional Reform is political, not economic reform. We also believe that we must veer away from an over-centralized system of government by shifting to a federal form of government that enables, empowers, and gives more responsibility to the local governments and the regions. Through such a system, enormous economic and civic energies untapped by the present system may be unleashed.

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For further information, feel free to email Mariefe Del Mundo, C4CC Secretariat at mdelmundo@code-ngo.org or contact her at 920-2595 loc 107.

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C4CC is a nationwide network of non-government organizations (NGOs) and NGO networks that was established in 2004 to oppose the various moves in Congress to revise the constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). Instead, the group has been batting for a more democratic and participatory Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) and for changes to further democratization such as a federal form of government to give way to more decentralized governance.