Malacañang won't stop Cha-cha moves in Congress

MANILA, Philippines - While President Benigno Aquino III has strongly opposed amending the Constitution's economic provisions, Malacañang said it will not prevent Charter change initiatives in Congress.

“Malaya naman po ang ating mga mambabatas na itulak po ang kahit anong inisyatibo na nasa ilalim ng batas na gusto po nila," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing on Friday.

Valte said there is still no "concrete" indication that the initiatives to amend the charter are already moving.

On Tuesday, Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. filed House Joint Resolution No. 1, which proposes amendments to the economic provisions of the Constitution.

Belmonte's resolution proposes that the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” be inserted in provisions restricting foreign ownership of certain sectors of the economy.

The House leader said easing restrictions on foreign capital would attract investments, leading to more jobs and higher incomes.

On Thursday, two other lawmakers filed a measure that will introduce political changes such as the shifting of the country’s form of government from presidential system to federal-parliamentary.

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