After 36 years, it’s now time for Cha-cha – lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines —  Thirty -six years since the 198  Constitution was passed should be more than enough time for the country’s highest elected officials to understand the urgent need to revise the Charter so that the Philippines will no longer lag behind its neighbors, according to a congressman.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the committee on dangerous drugs of the House of Representatives, cited the country’s membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where Manila is ranked eighth, or just two notches from the bottom.

“From being the ASEAN leader, we are now No. 8 out of 10 nations. Vietnam and Cambodia have overtaken us. How much more in Asia and the world? We have to wake up from our deep slumber and constant denial for the need to change. It is time for a reality check. The time is now!” Barbers declared.

“Thirty-six years since the Charter’s passage, do we already have answers to questions why our biggest global export is our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers)? They are the strongest and primary reason why our economy remains afloat and resilient,” he added.

In a statement, the Mindanaoan lawmaker also asked what more “social cost” the government wants and what the alternative to human export is.

“Our people keep trying to go abroad to work as modern day household slaves in foreign lands for lack of job opportunities here. We produce good doctors, nurses, teachers and other professionals. Yet our own health care system and education sector are terribly sick. They would rather work abroad than stay here. Why? We need to know the root cause and find solutions,” he said, pushing for Charter change.

At the same time, Barbers pointed out the obvious, where senators from the administration of the late former president Fidel Ramos until now have opposed Charter change, even if they know no law can ever be passed replacing the fundamental law of the land.

“They will be questioned before the Supreme Court. It is a waste of valuable resources. It is an admission that the Charter has failed us economically, politically and socially. What are we waiting for, to be at the bottom of the ladder?” he asked.

Barbers is so far the fourth lawmaker at the House to officially come out in favor of amending the Charter after Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who heads the House committee on constitutional amendments.

“A revised constitution will be a better tool for our President … to sell the country to investors and navigate the global business network for our people,” Barbers said.

“Reviewing its economic, social and political provisions will make them responsive to the situation and reality on the ground,” he added.