AKO BICOL Party-list Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr. reiterates that extension of terms for elected officials is excluded from the Charter Change Amendment.

The solon assured that the ongoing debates on the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) mainly focuses on the restrictive economic provisions, which are eyed to open improve the business climate and invite foreign investments.

“Let me be clear to those who doubt our intention in holding the committee hearings: our effort is geared precisely to help the economy recover from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic,” Garbin explained.

“Ang sentro lamang ho ng diskusyon dito . . . ay restrictive economic provisions,” he added. ”Wala hong term extension, wala hong lifting of term limit, wala hong political provisions.”

RBH No.2 was filed by House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to amend “certain economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution” including five amendments to Article XII (National Patrimony and Economy), one amendment to Article XIV (Education, Science, and Technology), and one amendment to Article XVI (General Provisions).

The presumption that Charter Change caters term extensions has been debunked by many congressmen before, saying that its main purpose is to amend certain sections in the 34-year-old Constitution.

“(T)he bottom line is ito ba ay ikabubuti ng ating bansa at magdadala ng benepisyo sa ating mga kababayan,” Garbin said.