Certain provisions of the Philippine Constitution were crafted to protect the rights of Filipino citizens to utilize our natural resources and to engage in nationalized activities. However, this should not deter foreign economic investments that would allow the country to efficiently explore these natural resources and effectively operate public utilities or reserved activities.
Inherent in the three branches of our government are three core powers granted by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. The authority to make laws and to alter or repeal them is conferred on the Legislative Department. The implementation of laws is charged to the Executive Department. The power to interpret laws, to hear and decide cases when disputes arise, lies with the Judiciary. The existence of these independent co-equal bodies is a fundamental characteristic of a democratic government.
In this June 1 file photo, Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon (left) inpsect three container vans of sugar, misdeclared as engine and aircon parts seized by authorities. The 1,521 bags are estimated at around P5 million. MANILA, Philippines – International and local business leaders drew eight recommendations to President Benigno Aquino III to facilitate inclusive growth within his term, including an overhaul of the Bureau of Customs as well as the country’s gateways. “It is imperative to overhaul the Bureau of Customs and to create an oversight body with private sector representations,” heads of 14 business groups including Makati Business Club president Ramon del Rosario Jr., Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry acting president Antonio Lopa and the American Chamber of Commerce president Rhicke Jennings said in the letter received by the Office of the President last June 21. The letter said that the estimated P100 billion lost from smuggling can instead be used for social programs and infrastructure. “Smuggling continues to derail your efforts on revenue collection and job generation,” it says. The groups also advised Aquino to pass a measure that would ensure that the country’s customs procedures comply with the Revised Kyoto Convention recognized by the international community. The immediate implementation of transportation infrastructure projects was also among the groups’ recommendations, highlighting the need to develop the Ninoy Aquino International Airport among others. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 De-clogging of the Port of Manila at Manila Bay and the connection project of major highways NLEX Read More …
Former President Fidel V. Ramos during the 27th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution at the People Power Monument in White Plains corner Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) on Monday (February 25). This year’s theme is “Pilipinas Natin, Abot Tanaw Na!”. The 1986 peaceful and bloodless uprising ousted the dictatorship and catapulted the late Corazon C. Aquino to the Presidency. (MNS photo) MANILA, Feb 26 (Mabuhay) — Former President Fidel V. Ramos on Tuesday called for a constitutional change that will open the country to more foreign investments. “Historically, Filipinos have opposed constitutional change. But, my dear friends, we have to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution to be more in sync with the development we’re trying to achieve,” Ramos said as he received a lifetime achievement award at The Joint Foreign Chambers’ of the Philippines Arangkada Forum: Realize the Potential! He noted the need to review the 1987 Constitution which limits foreign equity ownership on land utilities, telecommunications, among others to 40 percent. The charter was drafted during the term of then-President Corazon C. Aquino, mother of President Benigno S. Aquino III. In September 2011, Congressional leaders batted for a bicameral constituent assembly in reviewing the Constitution and for the Senate and the House of Representatives to vote on it separately. Discussions, however, took a back seat, with the Cabinet review on the economic costs and gains to changes in the foreign ownership provision. Businessmen and economists have pointed out that the provision is a bottleneck to more Read More …