MANILA: The Senate Subcommittee on Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 6 will use this coming sine die adjournment to continue working on the proposed charter economic amendments until a committee report is drafted before the regular session resumes in July.
In an interview after presiding the fifth public hearing on the measure on Thursday, Senator Sonny Angara said this will also give time for senators to discuss further how to proceed with RBH 6.
“May 23 and 24 adjourned na yata tayo (we are likely to be adjourned). So, we will have the break to finish the committee report, but of course we have to consult our colleagues kung ano yung (on what is the) next step,” Angara said.
“As you know, merong mga ayaw (there are those who do not want) to go further because they feel… it’s laying the predicate for a case to be filed in the Supreme Court. It’s said on record. That’s something we have to settle internally,” he added.
Angara also announced that the regional public consultations to be spearheaded by the
subcommittee will be on May 17 in Baguio City, May 23 in Cebu City, and May 24 in Cagayan de Oro City.
Ownership on Advertising
The fifth hearing focused on the sentiments of the advertising stakeholders, wherein some of them pointed out that online advertising already bypassed existing regulations.
“The reality is that foreign talent is being hired by local advertising agencies, local talent is also being hired by foreign advertising agencies. So, in a way, parang hindi na rin ganun ka-importante yung distinction between ownership (the distinction between ownership is not so important anymore),” Angara explained.
On the other hand, he said the proposed amendment may be a concern for the local advertising agencies which might be required to remit their profits or shares to foreign investors.
Among the provisions proposed to be amended under RBH 6 is on Paragraph 2, Section 11 of Article XVI of the Constitution which states that only Filipino citizens or companies are allowed to own at least 70 percent in
the advertising industry, and all the executive and managing officers of such entities must also be Filipino citizens.
Source: Philippines News Agency