The audacity of Charter change
Constitutions are fundamental documents that serve as the solid foundations of a nation. They are not to be changed, amended or revised in response to the changing tides of public opinions. The 1935 Constitution, which was ordained and promulgated under the Commonwealth regime even lasted up to 1972, surviving the Second World War and remaining as the solid bastion of our democracy even under the harshest moments of our history. It was only abrogated when the constitutional monarch wanted his term to extend from 1966 up to 1986.
The much maligned 1972 Constitution, despite all its weaknesses and vices, lasted for more than fifteen years. The 1986 Constitution is now twenty-eight years old, younger in age than the 1935 Charter but older than the fundamental law of 1972, but is it really time to tinker with its provisions, whether economic or political or both? The proponents of the Charter change are not meek and innocent lambs whose only intention is the general welfare of the people and public and national interest. The proponents are traditional politicians who are carrying heavy political and partisan motives.
The reasons for proposing economic changes are even anathema to the ultimate aspiration of the sovereign Filipino people, which is "to build a just and humane society." The Charter change proponents want to delete the protectionist and nationalist provisions of the Charter and open up the country to the vultures of speculative investors. On the guise of creating more jobs, they want to bring in foreign capitalists who are expected to pour in foreign currencies, not for long-term development but for selfish, purely profit-hungry speculations. These are not the kind of investments that create decent jobs.
The reasons for proposing political changes are even worse. They want to extend the term of the incumbent president, and/or allow the president to run for a second term. Also, they want to clip the powers of the Supreme Court and weaken our judicial system. These proposals are mere reactions to the landmark decision of the Supreme Court that declared most of the aspects of the Disbursement Acceleration Program unconstitutional. Thus, such proposals are tainted with both self-serving motives and a clear vendetta against the highest court of the land. Malacañang could not accept the fact that even his appointees in the court joined the unanimous rebuff against the excesses of the president's men.
Wherefore, the Filipino people should reject such audacity. It will accomplish nothing good for the nation nor avoid nothing evil for the people. It is nothing more than a crude exhibition of machismo. It is even an indecent act of bullying the judicial branch of the government. It is trying to muzzle the last bastion of our basic freedom and democracy. Such attempts should be slain at first sight.
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