Romualdez welcomes Senate’s openness to charter change

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 22) — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed on Monday the Senate’s change of heart regarding charter change, expressing optimism that the endeavor would succeed because the two chambers of Congress are united.

Speaking at the first plenary session of the House of Representatives for 2024, Romualdez stressed the need to amend certain economic provisions of the Constitution to attract more foreign investors.

He said relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership would lead to more jobs and economic opportunities for Filipinos.

“It is imperative that we reexamine the Constitution and carefully scrutinize pertinent economic provisions to eliminate the barriers that restrict potential growth," he said. "We therefore welcome the recent move of the Senate, led by the honorable Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, in joining the House of Representatives in its historic and laudable efforts towards charter change via constituent assembly.”

“This signals a strong sense of unity and purpose. The Congress of the Philippines, now acting as one body, will eventually fulfill the call for a reformed, responsive, and result-oriented constitutional framework,” Romualdez added.