Manila City Mayor Francisco Domogoso on Friday urged government officials to give priority to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic instead of pushing for Charter change.
He says he supports development in the Constitution, but the focus for now should be in preventing the spread of the disease.
“I agree in any given development at any given time in a normal situation,” Domogoso told ANC.
“That’s why we elect congressmen and senators to change laws. In this case, if it can help later on, why not? But for now, please… let’s just focus first on COVID-19.”
The League of Municipalities of the Philippines has submitted a resolution to the Interior department pointing to two constitutional amendments that they support: institutionalizing the Supreme Court’s Mandanas Ruling and the lifting of the restrictions on foreign investment in the industries that are restricted to Filipinos.
The league says these will help them attain economic and social progress in their localities.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya has said the resolution will be forwarded to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and House committee on constitutional amendments chairman Rufus Rodriguez.
Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla had earlier questioned the timing of the moves to amend the 1987 Constitution given the health crisis.
The Interior department said over the weekend that 1,488 municipal mayors had expressed support for the two constitutional reforms.