CBCP ISSUES STATEMENT ON CHARTER CHANGE

The Bishops of the Philippines towards the end of their plenary assembly in Tagaytay July 5 to 7 issued a statement against changing the Constitution now but recommended instead the holding of a referendum as a rider to the coming 2004 elections. The Filipino people, according to the CBCP statement, should be allowed to decide for themselves whether indeed constitutional revision is necessary now. The referendum should reflect the will of the Filipino people, and bind Congress to convoke a Constitutional Convention at some near future, so as to begin the process of Charter Change.

Noting the major institutional shifts the Charter Change entails, including the shift from presidential to parliamentary form of government, the bishops emphasized the need for extensive study, analysis and widespread discussion among the many sectors of Philippine Society before such changes may be instituted.

“We do not advocate the convening of Congress into a Constituent Assembly, “ says the statement, “This mode of quick-fix change is not proportionate to the complex and extensive task at hand. The major revisions being considered clearly call for the convening of a Constitutional Convention.”

The 2003 statement echoes the working principle that the Conference issued in 1997 with regard to the Charter Change : “We are one in our stand against changing the Constitution now…When the time does come, let it be done with widespread participation and a unity of vision, with total transparency and serenity, with reasons unarguably directed to the common good rather than to the self-serving interest of politicians. All elected officials looking for an extension of terms must categorically state now that they will not under any circumstance accept any further nominations for office.”

The 2003 statement on Charter Change unambiguously focuses on the welfare of the people as the primary reason for any change. “Proponents of Charter change must clearly show that the revisions they are proposing can provide national development ,” it states, “much more than the status quo can provide.” Therefore these proponents, say the Bishops, must answer vital questions such as:

Will the shifts lead to more effective representation of people and social sectors and allow more people to have access to political power?

Will the changes finally end political dynasties and draw us further away from patronage politics?

Will there be concrete measures to strengthen the accountability of public officials?

Do the proposals increase the capacity of caring for the majority of the people who are poor, by explicitly calling for redistributive measures like progressive taxation?

Will the changes facilitate the creation of principled political parties that are able to really represent the poor, while at the same time ensuring effective leadership based on output?

“Change should be oriented towards a better life for all, especially the poorest, “ the Bishops’ statement says. “In this constitutional revision is merely one possible response. It is not the only one and it might not be the most effective at this time. Moreover, we know that systems work for the common good only because of the integrity, motivation and competence of leaders.”

The statement includes by reemphasizing the need for the people to voice out their collective decision in a referendum, but only after thorough discussion and analysis, and considering most of all the common good and the future of Filipino children.

READ FULL DETAILS