The resolution proposing to lift the “restrictive” economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution has hurdled the House committee on constitutional amendments.

On Tuesday, February 2, the panel approved Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 2, which would add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” to provisions saying only Filipinos can control, own, and/or lease alienable lands of public domain, natural resources, public utilities, educational institutions, mass media companies, and advertising companies in the Philippines.

This means legislators would be able to pass bills allowing Congress to ease restrictions on foreign investors, which Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his allies believe would help the Philippine economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Of the 81 members of the panel – both regular and ex-officio – 64 voted in favor of RBH 2, while only 3 rejected it and 3 abstained from the vote. 

The rest were either absent or did not cast their vote during the proceedings. Committee chair and Ako Bicol Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr, who presided over the hearing, did not vote on RBH 2.

TUCP Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza, however,  was mistakenly recorded as a yes vote. In a letter sent to House Secretary-General Mark Llandro Mendoza on Wednesday, February 3, Mendoza said that while he was present during the hearing, he did not cast any vote on RBH 2. Mendoza’s staff sent Rappler a copy of the lawmaker’s letter on Friday, February 5. 

House leaders are ex-officio members of all committees by virtue of their posts, which means they have voting powers. They include Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Minority Leader Stephen Paduano, and their respective deputies. 

The panel initially counted just 62 affirmative votes for RBH 2, but Garbin said the final vote tally is 64-3-3. 

This is because the yes votes of two lawmakers – Representatives Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP) and Ma Theresa Collantes (Batangas 3rd District) – were not initially recorded when they first manifested their votes via Zoom. 

After hurdling the committee level, RBH 2 will now be debated upon by the entire House of Representatives in the plenary.

Here’s how the House committee on constitutional amendments voted on RBH 2:

Voted YES to RBH 2

1. Bienvenido Abante Jr, Manila 6th District
2. Gil Acosta Jr, Palawan 3rd District
3. Tyrone Agabas, Pangasinan 6th District
4. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, Isabela 1st District
5. Marlyn “Len” Alonte, Biñan City
6. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, Pangasinan 3rd District
7. Juan Miguel Arroyo, Pampanga 2nd District
8. Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr, Buhay
9. Cristal Bagatsing, Manila 5th District
10. Lianda Bolilia, Batangas 4th District
11. Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc, Pampanga 4th District
12. Argel Cabatbat, Magsasaka
13. Ducielle Cardema, Duterte Youth
14. Ma Theresa Collantes, Batangas 3rd District
15. Lorenz Defensor, Iloilo 3rd District
16. Christopher de Venecia, Pangasinan 4th District
17. Bernadette “BH” Herrera, Bagong Henerasyon
18. Evelina Escudero, Sorsogon 1st District
19. Conrado Estrella III, Abono
20. Ria Fariñas, Ilocos Norte 1st District
21. Lawrence Fortun (with reservations), Agusan del Norte 1st District
22. Pablo John Garcia, Cebu 3rd District
23. Janette Garin, Iloilo 1st District
24. Sharon Garin, AAMBIS-OWA
25. Weslie Gatchalian, Valenzuela 1st District
26. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Davao de Oro 2nd District
27. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II, Mandaluyong
28. Ferdinand Hernandez, South Cotabato 2nd District
29. Salvador “Doy” Leachon, Oriental Mindoro 1st District
30. Loren Legarda, Antique
31. Corazon Nuñez Malanyaon, Davao Oriental 1st District
32. Rodante Marcoleta, Sagip
33. Eric Martinez, Valenzuela 2nd District
34. Kristine Singson Meehan, Ilocos Sur 2nd District
35. Josephine Lacson Noel, Malabon
36. John Marvin Nieto, Manila 3rd District
37. Henry Oaminal, Misamis Occidental 2nd District
38. Jose “Jun” Ong Jr, Northern Samar 2nd District
39. Rogelio “Ruel” Pacquiao, Sarangani
40. Wilter “Sharky” Wee Palma II, Zamboanga Sibugay 1st District
41. Prospero Pichay Jr, Surigao del Sur 1st District
42. Roberto Puno, Antipolo City 1st District
43. Stella Quimbo, Markina City 2nd District
44. Strike Revilla, Cavite 2nd District
45. Florida “Rida” Robes, San Jose del Monte City
46. Rufus Rodriguez, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District
47. Michael “Mikee” Romero, 1-Pacman
48. Martin Romualdez, Leyte 1st District
49. Xavier Jesus Romualdo, Camiguin
50. Joey Salceda, Albay 2nd District
51. Ron Salo, Kabayan
52. Manuel Sagarbarria, Negros Oriental 2nd District
53. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Ilocos Sur 1st District
54. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, Quezon 2nd District
55. Jesus “Bong” Suntay, Quezon City 4th District
56. Sharee Ann Tan, Samar 2nd District
57. Alyssa Sheena Tan, Isabela 4th District
58. Jose “Ping-Ping” Tejada, North Cotabato 3rd District
59. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr, Negros Oriental 3rd District
60. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr, TGP
61. Isidro Ungab, Davao City 3rd District
62. Camille Villar, Las Piñas
63. Divina Grace Yu, Zamboanga del Sur 1st District

Voted NO to RBH 2

1. France Castro, ACT Teachers
2. Ferdinand Gaite, Bayan Muna
3. Carlos Zarate, Bayan Muna

Abstained from the vote

1. Jose Christopher “Kit” Belmonte, Quezon City 6th District
2. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Abang Lingkod
3. Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Cavite 7th District

Did not case vote/absent

1. Junie Cua, Quirino,
2. Paolo Duterte, Davao City 1st District
3. Bayani Fernando, Marikina City 1st District
4. Alfredo Garbin Jr, Ako Bicol
5. Mujiv Hataman, Basilan
6. Roger Mercado, Southern Leyte
7. Vilma Santos Recto, Batangas 6th District
8. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Cavite 8th District
9. Lord Allan Velasco, Marinduque
10. Vicente “Ching” Veloso III, Leyte 3rd District
11. Rosanna “Ria” Vergara, Nueva Ecija 3rd District
12. Eduardo Villanueva, CIBAC

– Rappler.com