Robinhood Padilla —SENATE PRIB

MANILA— Senator Robin Padilla will push for amending the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution in 2024, a year ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Currently, Padilla is focusing on changing the Charter’s economic provisions “to allow foreign businesses to directly invest in a more conducive landscape.”

The senator was asked in an ANC interview on Tuesday whether or not he is prioritizing amending the political structure.

“Isusulong ko ‘yan sa 2024 para sa 2025 [elections],” Padilla, Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes chairperson, replied.

(I will push for that in 2024 for the 2025 elections.)

Padilla, along with his party the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan, wants a federal form of government in the country.

Padilla held hearings on Charter change (Cha-cha) in the Senate and even in key cities in the country, including Baguio and Cebu, in a bid to ease the Constitution’s economic provisions only.

His committee wrapped up its Cha-cha hearings on March 16.

The upper chamber held an executive session on Monday to deliberate on Cha-cha.

Padilla will likewise meet with members of the House of Representatives to further talk about the mode of amending the Constitution, either through a constituent assembly or constitutional convention.

JMS