Charter change: Game changer in the Philippines?

PHILIPPINES - In Brief 15 Jan 2024 by Diwa Guinigundo

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It started with one ad that made the rounds of television networks, calling for a change in some provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Repudiating the 1986 People Power Revolution that ended the elder Marcos's dictatorship, the message was that progress in the Philippines was stalled because subsequent governments failed to promote quality education, farmers were not empowered with good agricultural support, and agrarian policy prevented foreign ownership of lands. Many saw through this ad's subtexts. Related to this latest move to change the charter of the Philippines was the alleged bribery of the local population for them to participate in a signature drive aimed at revising it through a people’s initiative. As a result, the House minority group filed House Resolution 1541 calling for the Lower House to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the on-going drive to change the country’s 36-year old Constitution. Localities where this drive has been spotted include Tarlac, Quezon City, Caloocan, Cavite and in many other parts of the archipelago. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has joined the fray. Its chairman, George Garcia, recently declared that such a “people’s initiative” may be voided “if it is proven that the signatures for the petition were gathered using government funds.” For a people’s initiative to be binding, it should gather at least 12% of the total registered voters nationwide and 3% of the registered voters per legislative district. What is wrong with amending the Philippine Constitution? True, as claimed by some legislators, it is within the prerogative of established democracies to change their fundamental laws to sustain thei...