BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson opposes proposals by some government leaders to amend the 1986 Constitution, which were supposedly meant to ensure a “no-el” or no-election scenario in the May 2022 national polls.
Lacson said he would only favor Charter change if it tackles economic provisions of the Constitution and institutionalizes the Mandanas Ruling of the Supreme Court, which means more Internal Revenue Allotment for the local government units.
Any changes should only take effect after the 2022 elections, the governor reiterated.
“Financial constraint for the election because of government spending for the pandemic should also be explained well to the people,” said Lacson.
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines has earlier passed a resolution proposing several amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
Among the proposals of the local executives is the lifting of restrictions on foreign investment in industries currently limited to Filipinos.
They believe that allowing majority ownership by foreign investors of some local companies will be “beneficial” to their constituents as long as protection of workers’ rights and the ban on foreign ownership of land are assured.
At the House of Representatives, legislators are expected to discuss the possibility of constitutional amendments when their regular session opens next week.
The regular session of Congress will open on July 27, with the State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte./PN
