RBH0002: RESOLUTION OF BOTH HOUSES PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO CERTAIN ECONOMIC PROVISIONS OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PARTICULARLY ON ARTICLES II, XIV & XVI
Committee Report No. 735, dated February 4, 2021, recommends the adoption with amendments of Resolution of Both Houses No. 2. This resolution proposes changes to specific economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution, particularly in Articles XII (National Patrimony and Economy), XIV (Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports), and XVI (General Provisions). The key amendments involve adding the phrase "UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW" to several sections, which could potentially open up various sectors—such as natural resource exploration, public utility operation, educational institutions, and mass media—to greater foreign participation.
The significance of these proposed amendments for the Filipino people lies in the potential shift in economic policy and its impact on national patrimony and control over key industries. By allowing exceptions "unless otherwise provided by law," the resolution aims to attract more foreign investments, with the stated goal of transforming economic growth into inclusive and solidary progress. However, this also raises concerns about potential foreign dominance in critical sectors and its long-term implications for the control and ownership of national resources and essential services by Filipino citizens.