MANILA, Philippines — A newly-formed coalition of church leaders, religious and civic organizations on Wednesday urged the government to prioritize the needs of the Filipino people instead of pursuing Charter change (Cha-cha), which they deem a "waste of resources."
In a press conference in Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday, the “Koalisyon Laban sa ChaCha” called the initiatives to push for the revision of provisions in the 1987 Constitution a “selfish agenda.”
“The 1987 Constitution is not a political plaything, it was crafted after a dark period to serve the Filipino people, upholding human dignity, human rights and the common good,” San Carlos Bishop Gerry Alimanza, one of the convenors of the coalition, said in his speech.
“Instead of amending the Constitution, we urge the government to tackle pressing issues,” he added.
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Among the members of the coalition are Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Bishop Jonel Milan, Caritas Manila Executive Secretary Fr. Antonio Labiao; Ging Quintos-Deles of the Buhay ang EDSA Campaign Network; Minnie Anne Mata-Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP); Josua Mata of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and members of Akbayan youth.
Instead of revising the Charter, the coalition said that the government should work to “eradicate corruption, protect the environment, break political dynasties and ensure electoral integrity.”
"A just and equitable society for all Filipinos cannot be achieved through self-serving Charter changes, but through a genuine commitment to the people's welfare. We urge the government to fulfill its duty and prioritize the needs of its citizens," Labiao said in his speech.
The coalition also said that the lobbied Cha-cha may “further foreign exploitation”, which will compromise the country’s sovereignty.
“It (Cha-cha) will open up the economy to further foreign exploitation and foreign military ‘basing.’ The former will further the mire of the people in poverty while the latter will compromise Filipino sovereignty,” Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses, NCCP’s vice-chairperson said in her speech.
On January 15, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 which seeks to amend the constitutional provisions covered by the Public Services Act.
Among the mentioned provisions are those specifying the percentage of foreign ownership allowed in selected industries, specifically public services and advertising.
On Monday, however, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that there is no need to amend or revise the economic provisions in the Constitution as it is “one of the liberal foreign investment laws in ASEAN and Asia.”
“There appears to be a lack of understanding by our national leaders of the extent of foreign ownership under the law of businesses in our country,” Carpio said.
“Our generation from coal, oil and gas plants has been opened to 100% foreign ownership for the longest time. The Supreme Court has also allowed 100% foreign ownership of power generation from dams or hydropower plants,” he added.
On January 24, the Senate denounced the people's initiative campaign pushing for the revision of provisions in the Constitution as it “undermines the power of the Senate.”
The people’s initiative, according to the manifesto signed by the 24 senators last month, seeks to allow all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to jointly vote on the proposed amendments in a constitutional assembly.