President Marcos Considers Constitutional Amendments on Political Provisions in the Philippines

MANILA: In a recent development, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has shown an openness to amending the political provisions of the 1987 Constitution. This announcement was made on Tuesday, highlighting potential changes to term limits within the country’s political framework.

According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos shared his practical views on the current term limits. He used his experience as a mayor to illustrate the ineffectiveness of the current system, noting how term limits led to a cycle of family members running for office. He pointed out the practice in Ilocos, where a vice mayor effectively runs the town, coining the term ‘mayor vice.’ Marcos stressed the need for a discussion on term extension, though he remained non-committal on its benefits.

The president also emphasized that his immediate focus is on amending the economic provisions of the constitution. He expressed his concern that other issues might complicate or jeopardize the success of these economic amendments. In December, Marcos highlighted the government’s plans to introduce economic reforms to attract more foreign investments, underscoring the necessity of these changes in the context of a globalized world.

However, Marcos voiced his opposition to foreign ownership of lands, citing the potential negative impacts on local residents. He stressed the importance of identifying strategic areas that should remain uninfluenced by foreign entities, whether corporations or other countries. The president expressed his disagreement with scenarios where foreign investment could lead to displacement of long-term residents due to escalating land values and taxes.

These statements mark a significant consideration of changes in the Philippine constitutional framework, primarily focusing on economic growth and adaptation to global standards while maintaining a cautious approach towards political and land ownership reforms.