Rufus Rodriguez asks SP Escudero to reconsider stand on economic Cha-cha

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez today urged Senate President Francis Escudero to reconsider his stand on proposed economic amendments to the Constitution.

He made the appeal in the wake of a recent survey by big data research firm Tangere showing that 60.6 percent of Filipinos support economic Charter change.

“I am appealing to SP Chiz Escudero and our senators to tackle our and their own economic constitutional amendment proposals in view of this survey showing majority of our people support economic Cha-cha,” he said.

He said since the House has already approved its version of economic Cha-cha and has sent it to the Senate, senators can consider it while the House is tackling the 2025 national budget President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to shortly submit to Congress.

In his remarks before his colleagues on Monday, Escudero said the Senate would not prioritize divisive measures such as the economic Cha-cha resolutions and the House-approved divorce bill.

He said tackling those proposals would “dissipate our energy and divide the public.”

Besides, he said they are not priorities of President Marcos and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

The Tangere survey showed that of the 60.6 percent who support economic Cha-cha, 25.2 percent “strongly agree” and 35.4 percent “somewhat agree.” 

Some 17 percent disagree with economic Cha-cha (5.8 percent strongly agree, 11.2 percent somewhat disagree), while 22.4 percent were “neutral.” 

Those who supported economic Charter reform said it would create more more jobs (72.5 percent), it would bring about higher economic growth (68.7 percent), it would result in increased salaries and work benefits (68.5 percent), it would lead to a decrease in the prices of goods and services (67 percent), and it would improve the quality of jobs in the country (66 percent).

The survey had 1,500 respondents in Metro Manila (12 percent), Northern Luzon (23 percent), Southern Luzon (22 percent), Visayas (20 percent), and Mindanao (23 percent).

It was conducted last July 16 to 18.