Proposal reviving 'Cha-cha' talks in the works, congressman says

A PROPOSAL seeking to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution is being crafted at the House of Representatives, a congressman said on Thursday, which could revive yet again a contentious effort in changing the 38-year-old charter.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio Reporter

Party-list Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. said he is drafting a House resolution that could kick-start discussions on economic Charter change, referred to as Cha-cha. He did not share details about its content and timeline.

"I'm still working on the draft," he told Business World in a Viber message in Filipino.

Philippine lawmakers last year launched efforts to ease foreign ownership limits in sectors like public utilities, education and advertising, but the push stalled after senators and congressmen failed to agree on how to collectively deliberate the proposed amendments.

The Constitution caps foreign ownership in key industries to 40%, requiring the remaining 60% to be held by Filipinos.

The House has pushed hard to ease the economic provisions of the Constitution in the first half of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s term, as it passed a bill to form a constitutional convention in 2023, and a year later, a resolution that urged lawmakers to discuss proposed amendments jointly.

There was also a separate push to initiate Charter change through a signature drive, but it fizzled following allegations that several congressmen were behind the campaign.