Rama: Charter change issue "out of timing"

CEBU - While Cebu City acting mayor Michael Rama does not actually oppose the proposed amendment to the 1987 Constitution, he believes that now is not the appropriate time yet for any Charter change because the country is already experiencing the brunt of the global economic meltdown.

Rama issued the statement in reaction to the suggestion of House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Jr. to have the local government units, such as Cebu City, express a stand on whether they are for or against the said proposal.

While he is hoping that the City Council will soon discuss the issue, he is in the opinion that it is not the right time yet to amend the provisions of the 21-year-old Constitution.

Nograles earlier encouraged healthy discussions on the proposed Charter change. The Speaker said that the issue should be debated in a “peaceful way…not to resort to name-calling and threatening the proponents of Chacha.”

He added that the issue on Charter change should be confronted on the basis of facts and logic.

It was learned that many congressmen are against a constitutional convention, meaning that delegates would be elected to amend the Charter.

Those who opposed the Concon instead suggested a constituent assembly wherein “incumbent members of Congress and the Senate would be the ones to convene as delegates to amend the Constitution.”

Critics of the Charter change said they would agree only to a constituent assembly largely to thwart attempts by incumbent officials to lift the provision on term limits. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV