CBCP President Archbishop Lagdameo clarified that the Bishops believe that the revision of the 1987 Constitution is necessary but should be done through constitutional convention. The business sector has made its stand for change and does not deny the need for it through a con-con. The Senate leadership under Drilon and now under Villar has said it favors constitutional convention to revise the Charter. The Black and White Movement representing civil society likewise does not deny the need for change through a constitutional convention.
Therefore, the change of direction of Congress from adherence to the people’s initiative and a constituent assembly mode to a support for a constitutional convention should not be derided and scorned but welcomed in underscoring a sensitivity to heal the nation and forge the unity necessary to change the Charter. We hope that a consensus for con-con can now build up and colliding political factions and viewpoints can now lower the decibel of shouting and refrain from name-calling and throwing coup d’etat threats.
Despite the negative effect of the political discussions and the wedge it has driven between interest groups and parties, the ongoing debate has had a benefit. Today, there is a greater awareness and discussion among our people with publications and broadcast stations opening up a wider channel for dissemination to understand the points for amendments and evaluate the value of a shift from Presidential to a Parliamentary Unitary System.
The opposition may attribute ill motives to Speaker De Venecia but one cannot fail to see a determined political will for charter change in his long arduous advocacy to unlock the gridlock between the two chambers in favor of a parliamentary-federal type of governance. The opposition has the democratic space to put forward their rationale to keep the status quo.
When is the right time? It looks like twinning the election of delegates to the constitutional convention in May 2007 with the polls for the national and local officials is a practical suggestion because it will not impose a huge extra expense for a special election. The House is willing to provide the necessary budgetary requirements to operate a convention on an agreed timetable. This will guarantee the independent creation of a constitutional convention, where a free, rational debate can be organized after the election of delegates. Hopefully, after at least a month to six weeks after May 14, the life of a constitutional convention can soon be organized where the collective aspiration of the people through its elected delegates can finally be realized.
Between now and May of next year, what will be an imperative collective task for all sectors is public voters’ education to select delegates who are competent, committed, and concerned to undertake the patriotic task of changing the course of the country through a new Constitution. The computerization and necessary reforms within Comelec should likewise be instituted. A fully transparent convention debates will enlighten the people on the arguments on both sides. It is the people’s right in a democracy to give the ultimate judgment to accept or negate the revised Charter presented in a plebiscite.
Today, as the Misa de Gallo dawns upon our country, we hope that our prayers for the nation to unite can be undertaken similar to what we had collectively done 20 years ago when we peacefully removed a dictatorship. This is a gift for the nation this Yuletide season, for all of us to forge and manifest the collective will for social transformation through a constitutional convention.
Venceremos! We shall triumph! May peace prevail in our beloved land!