Various people’s organizations and religious groups
launched Wednesday, February 14, a coalition against a renewed push for Charter
change (Cha-cha) which
they said will not solve the country’s problems, contrary to
its proponents.
Koalisyon Laban sa Cha-cha — convened by Bishop Jose
Colin M. Bagaforo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Bishop Jonel Milan of the K4Philippines Intercessors Movement, Ms. Minnie Anne
Mata-Calub of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Sen. Risa
Hontiveros, of Tindig Pilipinas, Josua Mata of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, and
Justine Balane of Akbayan Youth. — denounced the fresh moves to revise
the 1987 Constitution as “selfish.”
“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.
It also refuted claims of lawmakers campaigning for
Cha-cha 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.”
‘True unity’
Bishop Bagaforo, who chairs the Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines’ Episcopal Commission on Social Action, Justice
and Peace and heads Caritas Philippines, called the current push for Cha-cha
“questionable.”
“We view attempts
to alter the Constitution, especially with questionable motives
and limited public
participation, as threatening our nation's well-being,” Bagaforo said.
He continued, “The 1987 Constitution is not a political
plaything. It was crafted after a dark
period to serve the Filipino people, upholding human dignity, human rights, and
the common good. We echo the CBCP's stance: Any revision must adhere to these
moral principles.”
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines
(NCCP), an ecumenical fellowship of non-Roman
Catholic denominations in the country,
also rejected the current push for
Cha-cha, saying it will not help people.
“It will open up the economy to further foreign exploitation and foreign military
basing. The former will
further mire the people in poverty while the latter will compromise Philippine
sovereignty,” Jennifer Ferariza-Meneses, NCCP’s vice-chairperson for women,
said.
Hontiveros hailed the “true unity” of people’s
organizations and religious groups joining forces against Cha-cha despite
having come from different walks of life.
“Ito ang tunay na pagkakaisa: Ang pagkakaisa ng
taumbayan na lalaban para sa kapakanan ng nakararami, hindi para lang sa
interes ng iilan,” she said.
The senator urged people to join the coalition and other
groups against Cha-cha as she underscored the need to further
strengthen the campaign
against this attempt
to tamper with the Constitution.
“Pagod na tayo sa pagtangis dahil sa mga nasaktang puso at napakong
pangako,” Hontiveros said.
“Kaya pupunasan na natin ang ating luha at buong-loob na papasanin ang krus ng laban kontra sa Cha-cha para ang ating
bayan ay maging tunay na bayang magiliw.”
Focus on true needs of Pinoys
Fr. Antonio Labiao, Caritas’ executive secretary, said
that instead of tinkering with the Constitution, the government should instead
work to eradicate corruption, protect the environment, break political
dynasties, and ensure electoral integrity.
“A just and equitable society
for all Filipinos cannot be achieved through
self-serving Charter changes,
but through a genuine commitment to the people’s welfare. We urge the
government to fulfill its duty and prioritize the needs of its citizens,”
Labiao said.
Josua Mata of Nagkaisa Labor Coalition and Kalipunan ng
Kilusang Masa said what the people truly need are living wages, jobs and
rights.
“Kung wala dito ang puso ninyo, malamang kapangyarihan
at kayamanan lang ang habol ninyo!” Mata said. “We urge our legislators to
prioritize policies that would address the chronic poverty amidst the widening
gap of income inequality in the country.”
Akbayan Youth chairperson Justine Balane said student councils,
Sanggunian Kabataan and youth leaders all over the country are
rising up against Charter change, which he said will “short-change” the youth.
“The youth rejects a future where the elite have unlimited
years in power, our economy is owned by foreign billionaires, and the people are starved of their human
rights,” Balane said. “Walang pakinabang ang kabataan at
mag-aaral sa cha-cha. This trapo-led charter change will only short-change our
future.”
“In the face of our nation's pressing problems, present
Charter Change initiatives are divisive,
wasteful and unnecessary. We urge our politicians to put solving our people's
hunger, poverty, and poor education first!” said Ging Quintos Deles of Tindig
Pilipinas and Buhay Ang EDSA Campaign Network.
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 said.
Photos
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