Duterte ready to thwart moves to allow foreign land ownership

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

DAVAO City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to intervene if the House of Representatives would discuss a proposed bill allowing foreigners to buy and own land in the country.

Duterte said this in answer to a query regarding the possibility of having a charter change.

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Duterte said he highly doubts the administration of President Benigno Aquino III would allow a charter change, however if ever a charter change would be approved, he would join the constitutional convention to oppose proposals to allow foreign ownership of land.

The vice mayor, the longest serving local official of the city, said having a charter change would "open the floodgates" and there would be a likelihood that "the country's economic provisions would be changed".

"Perhaps they'd say the country's gates are now open, and would pass the proposed bill of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles allowing foreigners to own land in the Philippines. That would see some conflict. I, myself, would join in the fight" Duterte said.