STATEMENT BY THE
HONORABLE ROGER “OGING” MERCADO
Southern Leyte, Lone District
Chair, Committee on Constitutional Amendments
Deputy Majority Leader
0917-865-2286
REP. ROGER MERCADO REACTS TO BUSINESS GROUPS' INPUTS ON CHARTER CHANGE
BACKGROUND: FINEX, Makati Business Club, and Management Assoc of the Phils (MAP: (1) that amendments to the constitution should be focused only on certain economic provisions; (2) that it would be more democratic for the two chambers of the Congress to vote separately; and (3) that a duly elected Con-con is the appropriate body to amend the Constitution.
We appreciate the inputs and concerns of FINEX, MBC, and MAP on the current, very public, and open debate on constitutional change.
The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments has Sub Committee 4 on the Review of Articles XI, XII, XIII, XIV and XV of the 1987 Constitution. Their work covers the economic provisions and has been well-informed by the public consultations done in 2016 and 2017, including inputs from the business community.
However, the suggestion that this attempt at charter change be limited to the economic provisions is unwise, partly because, as the business sector knows, governance issues are also at the core of the medium term and long term development goals. To neglect governance is to just partly solve decades-old problems.
It is also unwise because it would be wasted opportunity to overlook governance issues at this time when the combined political capital of President Duterte and of Congress is enough to deliver on the commitment to give Filipinos a government that is closer to them and away from Imperial Manila.
We wish to assure the business community that seeming disagreements between the House and Senate are simply part of the dynamics of the same democracy that produces the free market environment wherein businesses thrive.
The two chambers of Congress are working on solutions. As I have said before, reason and pragmatism are serving as guideposts. (END)
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