Enrile, Belmonte renew Cha-cha bid

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The 15th Congress officially opened its third session on Monday, with the leaders of both chambers urging lawmakers to push for charter change.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Sonny Belmonte also called on their colleagues to put 2 crucial measures to a vote.

In his speech, Enrile acknowledged that the Senate still has many urgent bills to pass, including measures concerning the economy.

"The Senate will be focusing on vital measures for the improvement of the economy," he said, citing Senate Bill 3098 that will prohibit or discourage the formation of anti-competitive mergers and anti-competitive conduct in business.

Enrile also said it is time for lawmakers to review the 1987 Constitution.

"The Senate will discuss the introduction of amendments to the 1987 Constitution," he said. "The Senate agrees to amend, particularly on the economic provisions of the present charter."

Riding on gains

Belmonte echoed the call for charter change at the House of Representatives.

He said the country must ride on its recent economic gains and sustain them by attracting more foreign investments.

"What I am suggesting is for us to take the first step towards relaxing the restrictive economic provisions of our Constitution to allow Congress to enact laws that would define foreign participation and nationality requirement in strategic sectors of our economy," he said.

"The Filipino-first policy is but a step towards the inclusive growth we are seeking. It has not brought us the economic growth we dreamed to achieve. We need to find new paths and take new steps away from the restrictive protectionist economic path," he added.

Belmonte said the push for charter change will not lessen the focus of the House on other issues.

Enrile and Belmonte also urged colleagues to put 2 controversial measures to vote: the reproductive health bill and the freedom of information bill.