Lawmakers want economic provisions prioritized in proposed amendments of 1987 Constitution
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY -- Lawmakers assure that economic provisions – and not politically-related matters -- will be prioritized in the proposed amendments of the 1987 Constitution.
“With this present Congress, we are pushing for economic reforms,” said Rep. Richard Gomez of Leyte’s 4th District.

“We do not want to touch on term limits because that’s where the issue of trust comes from,” added Rep. Gomez.
Gomez, who authored one of the bills in the proposed constitutional amendments, was one of the lawmakers present during a public consultation on Monday, Feb. 13, in Iloilo City.
Gomez said he is pushing full ownership of the lands and other businesses by foreign investors instead of 40 percent to propel economic growth.
Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, echoed the need for economic reforms.
Defensor pointed out that the limitation on foreign investors is a hindrance to driving maximum growth and development. He cited the problems facing the communications and transportation sectors.
Defensor said the focus of their discussions were on three specific articles of the fundamental law of the land, namely, Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony), Article XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports), and Article XVI (General Provisions).