Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong leads the official public launch of "Mayors for Good Governance" at the UP Film Center in Quezon City on August 24, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File  

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong criticized efforts to revise the 1987 Charter by People's Initiative during the consultations of the Senate Subcommittee on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 in his city on Friday.

RBH 6 proposes to empower Congress to regulate foreign investments in public utilities, higher education and advertising.

"I would like also decry some efforts of some legislators to pursue the People's Initiative. I believe it is purely unethical," Magalong said in his opening remarks. 

"I also firmly believe that the process for moving these kinds of legislations forward should be aligned with what is provided in our constitution and that the core foundations of nationalism and national interest are still primarily protected and if not strengthened," he said. 

Magalong maintained he supports legislation that advances economic opportunities for Filipino.

"With the current landscape, our industries would be able to support an economic tract that is globally competitive, dynamic and adaptive to economic trends," he added.

Senators have opposed the PI which is being backed by some members of the House of Representatives.

Other local officials from Northern Luzon were present. Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas posed no objections, along with Board Member Ercison Singson of Ilocos Sur.

"Quickening change is necessary for increasing both social and economic progress," Singson said in his position paper.

"These changes have the potential of creating economic progress, jobs, and better services even as they also come with threats of national control, economic sovereignty and cultural integrity. This therefore calls for tight regulatory net, protection of national interests and equitable distribution of benefits from globalization. By finding a harmonious blend between all these aspects, Philippines can increase its economic resilience thereby securing a brighter tomorrow for its people."

Other stakeholders also submitted position papers to the panel.

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority backed the proposed amendments through a letter signed its Administrator and Chief Executive Officer, Katrina Ponce Enrile.

La Trinidad Benguet Mayor Romeo Salda sent a position paper in support of the proposed amendments.

"Relaxing foreign participation in local investments would greatly contribute to local development," Salda said.

The Mariano Marcos State University's Position Paper called the proposed amendment to higher education a threat to national security.

"The proposed amendment, by allowing foreigners to own, control, and administer the country’s higher educational institutions, gives rise to issues surrounding national security. While all higher educational institutions under the proposed regime will still be regulated by the relevant government agencies (i.e. CHED), the threat of dangerous foreign influences such, but not limited to, religious radicalism and any other ideological indoctrination is not remote. MMSU said in its position paper.

The Cooperative Development Authority CAR Extension office proposed the inclusion of a clause on the no foreign equity requirement in cooperatives to strengthen the base of Filipino ownership. 

"We stand by the Cooperative Principle of Autonomy in all cooperatives. Based on the present status of primary cooperatives, fully owned by Filipinos, they have proven that they can adequately sustain their respective cooperatives guided by the cooperative values of self-help and self-responsibility," it said.

The consultation in Baguio is the first of 3 regional consultations. Similar fora are scheduled in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro next week. 

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