The chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Monday said the lower chamber may approve on third and final reading the economic Charter change before its sine die adjournment in June.
Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., the panel chairman, said the target date of approval of the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 2 is possible as there are only seven remaining interpellators.
“We will finish it before the sine die adjournment. Meaning it will be subject to a vote on third reading before our adjourment,” he added.
Congress is expected to adjourn sine die on June 5 to July 25. It will resume session on July 26 for the last State of the Nation Address of President Duterte.
According to Garbin, the measure seeks to provide Congress the flexibility to enact legislation that will appropriately respond to the needs of current economic and technological conditions.
Garbin also noted that the proposed Charter change would only be adopted once the Filipino people vote in favor of it in a plebiscite.
House Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Joey Salceda, principal sponsor of the proposed RBH 2, which would amend economic restrictions of the 1987 Constitution, said that the House will commence deliberations on the proposal once session resumes on May 17.
Salceda also renewed calls for the Senate to pass its own counterpart measure.