CHARTER CHANGE | Activists, religious leaders eye anti-charter change protest on 38th EDSA anniversary

February 15, 2024 , 08:04 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(February 15, 2024) – Religious leaders, incumbent and former lawmakers, activists and legal experts are expected to take to the streets to protest moves to amend the 1987 Constitution, marking the anniversary of a popular uprising that ended a 20-year dictatorial rule nearly four decades ago.

The “No to Cha-cha Network” announced a nationwide protest action against charter change, including a rally at the EDSA Shrine in Quezon City on February 25 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This will be followed by a Roman Catholic mass service to be officiated by the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Bishop Pablo Virgilio David.

“We strongly oppose these efforts (charter change) at this time for being unnecessary, divisive, expensive, and aimed mainly at entrenching those in power,” the No to Cha-cha Network said in a statement.

The coalition stressed that the growing influence of political dynasties, poverty, and social injustice are not problems that will be solved by tinkering with the 1987 Constitution.

“Rather than pursue their self-serving agenda, we urge our country’s leaders to focus on things that really matter to our people,” the group said.

Among the individuals and groups named in the statement are retired Supreme Court justice Antonio Carpio, 1987 Constitution framer Rene Sarmiento, former and incumbent lawmakers of the Left-wing Makabayan bloc, and former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

The EDSA Shrine rally coincides with the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power uprising that deposed the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., ending his 20-year dictatorial rule marked by records of human rights violations and corruption. Marcos Sr. is the father of the sitting president Ferdinand Jr.

A year later, the country ratified the Constitution that is still in effect to date.

Calls opposing charter change grew as the two chambers of Congress deliberated on proposals to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution. Proponents said this was needed to lure in more foreign investors and promote economic growth.

There has also been a people’s initiative campaign pushing to amend the Constitution so Congress votes jointly on charter change proposals.

Carpio said charter change will not be the answer to draw in more foreign investment because the country already has one of the most liberalized policies in Asia.

He said the government should instead address the issues that have discouraged foreign investors such as high power rates, complicated bureaucratic procedures, and weak rule of law.

“We are more liberal than Vietnam. We are more liberal than China. But Vietnam and China get more foreign direct investment than us. So the problem is not the Constitution, it’s not our investment laws,” Carpio said in a No to Cha-cha Network press conference.

(MM | With reports from Jenny Dongon, News5)

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