Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri is still cold on the new push by the House of Representatives to amend the 1987 Constitution, stressing there is no necessity for that now.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Zubiri said more foreign investors are coming to the Philippines due to the newly legislated laws by Congress.

"Trade Secretary (Alfredo) Pascual was interviewed yesterday, and he clearly said that we are having more foreign investors coming to the Philippines because of the Public Service Act," he told GMA-DZBB.

"Foreign investors can now come into the Philippines to invest in railways, airports, seaports, including airplanes… I don't think there is a need for an amendment at this particular time," he added.

Last week, Speaker Martin Romualdez bared the House of Representatives' plan to amend the Constitution next year.

Romualdez said the push for charter change next year will focus on removing the "restrictive" economic provisions in the current charter. He noted that revisiting the 1987 Constitution "would be our legacy in the 19th Congress."

Zubiri, however, said he is not in favor of amending the Constitution to allow foreigners to acquire private land in the Philippines.

"I am not in favor of letting foreigners acquire land in the country. Why? Our lands are very expensive. If we allow them, they will end up being owned by Chinese and other foreigners," he said.

"It would be impossible for the Filipinos to acquire lands for their homes if we will allow them. We also don't want them to acquire agricultural lands," he added.

Under the 1987 Constitution, foreign nationals are prohibited from owning lands in the country.

Meanwhile, the Senate chief said he would let their counterparts in the House proceed with their planned people's initiative to push the charter change without the participation of the Senate.

"For me, their planned people's initiative is their prerogative," Zubiri said.

He, however, stressed that a Supreme Court decision stated that people's initiative could only push for "piecemeal" measures.

"The SC released a guideline for the people's initiative, but it is only piecemeal. When you say people's initiative, you cannot change the mode of government — those bigger amendments," he said.

"It is only for piecemeal amendments. Let us see the House of Representatives' plan about it. Let us see what they want to do, and then we will give comments when we see it. Like what they say, we will cross the bridge when we get there," he added.