Padilla to form subcommittee for review of charter's economic provisions

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 23) — Sen. Robin Padilla said a subcommittee will be created to review possible amendments to economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara will lead the subcommittee, Padilla said in a statement Tuesday.

This announcement came after lawmakers at the upper chamber referred the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 seeking to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, which Padilla chairs.

“This is a move in favor of the people," Padilla said. "First, there is no bias because everyone knows I am pro-Charter change. Second, there is no redundancy in hearings, so the public's taxes will not be wasted. Third, Sen. Angara is a lawyer who is well-versed in economics and finance."

“So it is better to follow the guidance of the Senate President as our leader, to have a subcommittee chaired by Sen. Angara,” he added.

Last week, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said a subcommittee on constitutional amendments led by Angara will conduct the review of the 1987 Constitution's economic provisions, which was ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Asked for an explanation on the Senate's move in handling RBH 6, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said, "With what's happening sino pa kayang Senador ang interesado sa RBH [who else is interested in RBH?]"

Villanueva also did not provide a definite response when asked about the creation of a subcommittee, while other senators have yet to clarify the fate of RBH 6.