Charter change forum held

CEBU, Philippines – Over 200 students from different schools and members of different organizations yesterday gathered at the University of the Philippines for a forum on the move to change the Charter.

Lawyer Democrito Barcenas of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said the approval of the House Resolution 1109 was highly unconstitutional because it didn’t pass the Senate.

Barcenas, on of the panelists, said they wanted to meet with the congressmen who supported the resolution to discuss the issue.

UP’s Union of Progressive Students, a socio-political organization, organized the activity, whose panelists and reactors came from different sectors.

Anna Coritha Desamparado, president of UP Student Council, said her group attended the event as they wanted to represent the youth.

Desamparado, who was one of the reactors, said Charter change has great effect to the people and the county as a whole.

“This is not just an issue of the students but an issue of the Philippines,” she said.

The event’s organizers said they even invited Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon and second district Representative Pablo John Garcia but the two could not attend due to prior commitments.

Gabriela Representative Liza Maza, one of the panelists, asked the students to write to their congressmen who are supporting the resolution to air their opposition to Charter change.

Supak Cha-Cha convener Fr. Max Abalos, another panelist, explained the effects of Charter change. – AJ de la Torre/LPM (THE FREEMAN)