MANILA — The House of Representatives intends to finish working on Resolution of Both Houses No. 7, which seeks to amend economic provisions of the Charter, before the Holy Week break, two lawmakers said on Wednesday.

Some of the economic provisions eyed for amendment are the restrictions on foreign investments in public utilities, basic education and advertising.

"That's the target bago po mag-break ang Kongreso. As per the House, talagang tututukan namin yan na hopefully bago mag Holy Week," said La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega said in a press conference.

Ortega said they have also been urging the Senate to do the same, adding that the House will start its work as Committee of the Whole next week.

The rules of debate are relaxed in a Committee of the Whole allowing for a more open exchange of views.

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"In a perfect world yun po talaga ang gusto natin mangyari para matrabaho na to agad kasi kailangan na kailangan po to," Ortega said. 

Lanao del Norte 1st District Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo said he expects only 3 sittings of the Committee of the Whole, and hopes the Senate will also do its part.

Dimaporo said there was no reason to delay charter change.

"Here in the House we're always ready, the problem has always been with the Senate. Let's start the debates so that we can deliver something for the Filipino people," Dimaporo said.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on Tuesday said he prefers to have the Senate “take the lead” in amending economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Members of the House and the Senate had been bickering over how to change parts of the 1987 Constitution as some lawmakers were supportive of a move to gather signatures to amend the charter via a People’s Initiative.