ftSaar' zo3s
Businessllflirror
'0utdated Constitution impedes PHlls progress'
BY JovFriMARrE N. DEr A. CRUZ
t @joveemarie
WO big business groups
expressedtheir supportfor
proposals thatwill ease the
restrictive provisions in the 1987
Constitution, as this will allowthe
Philippines to benefit more from
technological advancements and
international treaties.
Constifution. . .
CoNTINUBD FRoM A1
industry over foreign investors.
The group said the restrictions
should be removed immediately.
JFC said this can best be accom-
plishedbydeleting the restrictions
without adding the phrase "unless
otherwise provided by law."
"If the restrictions are com-
pletely removed following their
approval in a referendum, the
govelnment and Congress can
be prepared with proposed draft
Iaws to introduce bills and hold
hearings to deliberate on what re-
strictions shouldbe placedon any
of the currently constitutionally
sent"mrer
The Joint Foreign Chambers
(JFC) andthe MakatiBusiness Club
(MBC) submitted position papers
to the House of Representatives.
The House Committee on Consti-
tutional Amendments, chaired by
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodri-
guez, started deliberatingCharter-
change proposals on Wednesday.
Ofparticuldr interest to foreign
investors and local busincssmen
restricted activities that ire ap-
proved to be reformedlby the
voters," the paper read.
"Manyof the restrictions on for-
eign ownership listed in the Foreign
Investment Negative Listare based
on laws," it added.
JFC said placing restrictions
on foreign business activitli in
the Constitution denies the gov-
ernment flexibility to adjust to
future changes in technology, to
meet requirements of international
treaties, and to take advantage of
new opportunities that benefit the
economy.
"The Philippine economyis tied
into the global economy. Around
10 percent of the Philifpine pop-
ulation lives and works abroad.
are the economic provisions in
the 30-year-old Charter. These are
found in Article XIl, XIV and XVI.
The JFC said a number of re
strictive provisions in the current
Constitution datebackto the 1935
Constitution or1973 Constitution,
saying these reflect the nationalis-
tic spirit at the time and the pro-
tectionistpolicy to favor Philippine
sEE "coNsrrrurroN," A2
Substantial industries in business-
process outsourcingand electronics
words unless otherwise provided
bylaw' followingthe Constitutional
manufacturing have located in the provisions that set the Iimits on
country," it added. various sectors," he added.
1
MBC Chairman Edgar Chua, In a competitive global economy,
in a position paper, said discus- Chua saidthe MBC believes inlower
sions about constitutional changes barriers to trade and investment in
should start early in a presidential general.
term, to ensure there is time for "In a dynamic global economy,
proper consideration. we believe any barriers should be
'An exception may be made for subject to modificationbythe Presi-
the lifting of foreign investment dent and Congress, better thanbe-
restrictions, because they have ing fixed in the Constitution,' he
been discussed in Congress and said.
around the country for decades," Chua said a survey of Asean,
he said. China and India shows that while
"On this subject, MBC reiter- their constitutions may discuss eco-
ates its long-running support to nomic principles, specific economic
lift these restrictions. Among oth- restrictions and guidelines are le.fL
er means, u/e support adding the to the legishture. VC A A_