MANILA – New Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said his opposition to amending the 1987 Constitution will stand.
According to Escudero, he was very vocal in his stand against the proposed changes in the Constitution, which is being pushed by the House of Representatives, and he will keep it that way.
“I think I was one of the more vocal ones during that time. So I don’t see any reason why there’s concern about that,” Escudero said in a press conference.
Escudero’s statement came after Zamboanga City’s Rep. Manuel Dalipe, the House Majority Leader, said they are optimistic that the proposed constitution change will now prosper in the Senate.
“I am optimistic that under Senator Escudero’s guidance, Congress will take positive strides toward achieving the economic constitutional reforms advocated by the President,” Dalipe said.
“His extensive experience and proven commitment are invaluable as we endeavor to enact legislation that will benefit our country and its people,” he added.
However, Escudero said the measure that seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution will still be discussed by the majority bloc, but the previously scheduled hearings for the bill has been cancelled.
“We will discuss it on the part of the majority. But you know my position and I have no plans of changing my position,” Escudero said. “Is Cha-cha already dead in the Senate? It’s not for me to say.”
“But we will not hold any such hearings outside of Metro Manila or either inside the Senate and we will formally make known our decision as a group and as a Senate as regards to this,” he added.
The House of Representatives has been urging the Senate to immediately amend the 1987 Constitution, citing the need to relax the so-called restrictive economic restrictions that supposedly hinder foreign investments in the country./PN
