No to ChaCha!

Are you aware that over-eager politicians have been conducting recent ChaCha (Charter Change) public consultations?

Will lawmakers soon decide, by power of number, to amend the Philippine Constitution, their way?

Section 1 of Article XVII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by: (1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or (2) A constitutional convention.”

Section 2 states that “amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein. No amendment under this section shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter.”

The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.

Section 3 states that “the Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.”

Section 4 provides that “any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of such amendment or revision.”

And finally, “any amendment under Section 2 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of the petition.”

How do you think this present Congress will decide to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution?

Remember that while Section 1 states that “any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by: (1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or (2) A constitutional convention,” Section 3 clarifies that “the Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.”

Will Congress follow Section 3 or are the frequent public consultations now heading to the direction of Section 2 which states that “amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein?”

Will you and the rest of the Filipino people allow Congress to change the charter now and in their way or the constitutional way?

Amidst so much more pressing, more urgent problems like hunger, poverty, rising prices, and more confronting our people, Congress dare to prioritize ChaCha? Why?

The vocal ChaCha proponents in Congress mouth the mantra- opening up the economy to foreign investors will be good for the people, for the country.

Have these ChaCha advocates ever presented any data showing how and if in fact, foreign investments will benefit Filipinos and the Philippines?

What they are not telling the Filipinos are the ChaCha provisions that will allow present legislators and officials to stay longer in power, without the benefit of any new elections.

Hence, if ChaCha is allowed, expect political dynasties and the present officials to be in power longer!

Is this what Filipinos need or want now?

Be among those against ChaCha now!