Robredo: Not the time now for charter change

VICE-PRESIDENT Maria Leonor G. Robredo in a statement on Sunday cautioned against constitutional amendments now being pursued by the government.
“Hindi napapanahon ang diskusyon ukol sa pag-amyenda ng ating Saligang Batas, at lalo ang anumang mungkahing baguhin ang termino ng liderato at ipagpaliban ang eleksyon sa susunod na taon,” Ms. Robredo said. (This is not the time for discussions on amending the Constitution, and especially on any proposal to change the tenure of leadership and postpone next year’s [midterm] elections, because of many issues troubling our countrymen now.)
The Consultative Committee (ConCom) to Review the 1987 Constitution approved last week a draft federal charter, scheduled to be handed over to Malacañang Monday, July 9.
“We’re hoping that Congress will give it much weight as it prepares to submit proposed revisions to the people as a constituent assembly,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a statement Sunday.
Ms. Robredo in her statement also said, “Mula sa sunod-sunod na patayan, hanggang sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, ang pinakamahalagang usapin para sa mga Pilipino ay kung paano masosolusyonan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ang mga problemang ito.” (From the spate of killings to the continued rise in prices of basic goods, the most important discussion for Filipinos is how the present administration can resolve these issues.)
She added: “Ang usapin ng pag-amyenda ng ating Saligang Batas ay hindi lamang tungkol sa iisang tao, partido, o organisasyon; may pangmatagalang epekto ito sa buong bansa at sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Ang usaping simbigat nito ay hindi dapat minamadali at ginagawang tungkol lamang sa mga kasalukuyang nasa poder ng kapangyarihan.” (Amending the Constitution is not just about one person, party, or organization. This matter has a long-lasting impact on the whole country and on the lives of every Filipinos. An endeavor of this significance should not be rushed and undertaken only in connection with those currently in power.)
For his part, Senator Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III said in a radio interview on Sunday: “The federalism advocacy is not meant to benefit President Duterte. It is the party’s belief that federalism is better for the Philippines because there is decentralization, devolution, and distribution of resources. There is pinpointing of responsibility in the different levels of government so the development of the regions is fast-tracked.”
“That is our belief, not because of any one man who the party wants to benefit,” said Mr. Pimentel, the president of the ruling PDP-Laban.
ConCom, for its part, said in its statement on Sunday that there “cannot (be) a provision that bars a particular individual from enjoying the rights and privileges that the constitution or law confers on all.”
The body’s work has drawn attention after its members pointed out that there is no ban on incumbent officials under the draft charter. Under the existing charter, President Rodrigo R. Duterte as well as Ms. Robredo are limited to their single terms in office.
ConCom pointed out that in the 1987 Constitution, there was no transitory provision barring then President Corazon C. Aquino from running in the 1992 national elections.
“In fact, Section 5 of the Transitory Provisions extended the term of then President Aquino up to June 30, 1992 solely for the purpose of synchronizing the elections,” ConCom pointed out in its statement.
“It was solely the personal decision of then President Corazon C. Aquino not to run in 1992,” it added. — Charmaine A. Tadalan, Camille A. Aguinaldo, and Gillian M. Cortez