Marcos backs economic Cha-cha, hits secession

Marcos backs economic Cha-cha, hits secession

President Marcos on Thursday fully supported efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution but the provisions on “economic matters alone” as he strongly rejected former President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for Mindanao to secede, saying that it would destroy the nation.

In a speech to the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) during the celebration of Constitution Day in Makati City, Marcos said that while the Charter offered “no dynamism or flexibility” regarding the national territory, it is open to economic reforms.

“Allow me to make it clear. This administration’s position in introducing reforms for the Constitution extends to economic matters alone, for those strategically aimed at boosting our economy. Nothing more,” Marcos said.

His remarks eased lingering doubts that his administration was also considering changing certain political provisions in the Charter like term limits of elected officials.

Open to discussions

In an interview with GMA 7 last month, the President said he was open to discussions on amending term limits and other political provisions in the Constitution, but “later on.”

In January, Marcos said his immediate concern was easing the Charter’s economic provisions but that he was against land ownership by foreigners, which many politicians and business groups were pushing for.

He said his administration was “going to push hard to attract all foreign investments,” but he will not meddle in the disagreement between the two chambers of Congress over the people’s initiative for Charter change (Cha-cha).

“I will neither hinder this dialogue nor encroach on the prerogatives of Congress and the sovereign will of the Filipino people,” the President said, adding that he wanted a “healthy and democratic debate” on amending the Constitution for the country’s socioeconomic development.

Speaker: Being ‘makulit’

Philconsa president and Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s cousin, praised his assurance that his support for constitutional amendments

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