Anti-Charter change coalition launched

CEBU, Philippines — A coalition of various people’s organizations and religious groups was launched yesterday against a renewed proposal to amend the Constitution.

The Koalisyon Laban sa Cha-Cha was convened by Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Bishop Jonel Milan of the K4 Philippines Intercessors Movement, Minnie Anne Mata-Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Senator Risa Hontiveros of Tindig Pilipinas, Josua Mata of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, and Justine Balane of Akbayan Youth.

The group denounced the fresh moves to revise the 1987 Constitution as a “selfish” initiative by some politicians who wish to perpetuate in power.

“Our Constitution is robust but not fully implemented and completed with the necessary implementing laws. The leaders we entrusted with power do not fully implement the Constitution and provide necessary implementing laws because of selfish agenda,” the coalition said in a statement.

The group also refuted claims of lawmakers campaigning for Charter change that the Constitution is to blame for chronic poverty and that its economic provisions are too restrictive for foreign investments.

The group vowed to uphold the Constitution, particularly its social justice provisions, and to protect the sanctity of processes to amend or revise the Charter so that these will not be used to exploit people.

As it traced the opposition to previous Cha-cha attempts, the coalition said there is no reason to change the Constitution now, especially under a president “in denial of the corruption and human rights abuses of his father’s dictatorial regime.”

Koalisyon Laban sa Cha-cha vowed to sustain its efforts to defend democracy.

“We are Filipinos. We have the responsibility, courage, and fervor to strive for the governance of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace in this generation and future generations,” it added.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, in a separate interview, said that bishops are against the people’s initiative in changing the Constitution.

“We always respect the conviction of some people. In life some people have belief in one thing and some people believe another thing and we always respect that. Incidentally, as bishops we don’t accept charter change and we don’t agree with this signature campaign,” Palma added. – /FPL (FREEMAN)