Former Leyte representative and Philippine Constitution Association president Ferdinand Martin Romualdez lauded on Friday the decision of the House of Representatives to create a joint technical working group composed of members of Congress and senators to draft the proposed revision to the 1987 Constitution in the absence of the 25-man constitutional commission to be created by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Romualdez said the proposal to shift the presidential-unitary form of government to federalism through a constituent assembly would help change the political landscape toward genuine reforms.
“The action of our congressional leaders for constitutional reforms is a big welcome development,” he said.
Romualdez is the husband of incumbent Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez.
“The political upheaval and economic turmoil confronting the nation today, accented with the uncertainties of the times, bring into focus the Philippine Constitution as centerpiece to find solutions. These critical times call for all good, reliable and tested men to come to the aid of our nation,” he said.
Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo Benitez and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte, co-authors of measures for a Charter Change, shared the same opinion that a new politics of party programs and process of dialogue with the people must be pushed under the Duterte administration.
“Let us end the politics of personality and patronage. The new politics for genuine reforms and programs should be given a chance to pursue people’s interests. We have to ensure that the economic growth will propel and trickle down to the poor,” he said.
Meanwhile, Villafuerte said the amendment in the Constitution must include a thorough study on relaxing restrictions on foreign investments to support the government’s high and inclusive growth agenda.