The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a resolution calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the 1987 Constitution. The resolution received 301 yes votes, six no votes and one abstention.
The resolution, authored by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, seeks to convene a con-con composed of elected delegates who will propose amendments to the Constitution. The proposed amendments will then be submitted to the people for ratification in a plebiscite.
Romualdez said that the con-con aims to ease investment restrictions and improve economic provisions in the Constitution. He said that this will help attract more foreign investors and create more jobs for Filipinos.
However, some lawmakers and critics have expressed concerns that the con-con may also introduce political amendments, such as changing the Bill of Rights and the grounds for declaring martial law.
House constitutional amendments panel chairperson Rufus Rodriguez confirmed that con-con delegates would have the authority to propose any changes to the Constitution, but he assured that they would be guided by public interest and national security.
The resolution now awaits action from the Senate, which has yet to tackle any measure on Charter change.