Binay: No need to rush Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines - Although he favors amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Friday that there is no need to rush Charter change (Cha-cha).

Binay, who graced the celebration of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) of Constitution Day in Makati City, said amending the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution is needed to enable the country to be attractive to investors.

But he said there is no need to hurry Cha-cha and the public should first be given a better understanding of what the Constitution means to a nation and its people.

“I submit that Charter change is a serious issue and we have to study it well. This is not to say that I am eager to cha-cha-cha myself. Not at all. I hear the music but I will not rush into it,” Binay said in his speech, referring to the name of a dance that originated in Cuba.

Binay instead challenged Philconsa, the leading organization of law experts in the country, to lead the debate on the need for Cha-cha.

Apart from the economic provisions, Binay also cited the terms of office of local officials among those that should be changed.

“One of the reasons why Thailand is attractive to investors is that they have no 60-40 (rule on ownership of local companies). I think that should be amended so that we can get investors,” he said.

“Second, the terms (of office) must be returned to four years because three years is very short especially for local officials,” he added.

Binay said local officials are still adjusting during their first year in office.

“On the second year, they (local officials) are learning. Third year, you can no longer do it because you already lose your political will. So, four years would be logical,” Binay said.

He added that the Vice President must now be given a position in government like in the United States where he sits as the presiding officer of the Senate.

He said he is thankful that President Aquino trusts him and made him a member of the Cabinet.

Binay also urged Filipinos to respect the Constitution.

“However others may criticize or denigrate it, we should raise the Constitution to its honored place by giving it our highest reverence and respect and living its spirit faithfully and passionately without waiting for all its lofty principles and pious declarations to be translated into specific and enforceable enabling laws by Congress,” Binay said.

He said talk about Cha-cha should only center on how it can strengthen the economy and help in addressing the basic needs of the Filipino people.

“While faithfully and passionately living its spirit, and while being prepared to make any sacrifice in its defense, we must be open to the opportunity to correct any of its obvious imperfections and defects, but only when it can be clearly justified that such imperfections and defects impede the growth of our nation and the sharing of prosperity,” he said.