Not now, groups tell Kiko re Cha-Cha

VARIOUS sectors have laid their opposing positions over the government's plan to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution during the Mindanao leg of the regional consultative hearing initiated by a senate committee, on Thursday, at the Xavier-Ateneo Sports Center, El Camino Real Avenue, Pueblo de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City.

Chaired by Senator Francis ‘Kiko' Pangilinan, the senate committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes is making rounds of out of town hearings to listen to the different views and opinions of the people on the proposed legislation seeking to amend the 31year old constitution.

The series of committee hearings aim to establish intelligent debates and healthy discussions on charter change among different sectors of the society.

Pangilinan underlined the importance of people's participation as a significant element in decision making.

“Lumalapit kami sa inyo sa pinakaapektado nating mga kababayan upang marining ang inyong pananaw sa panukalang Chacha at usaping Federalismo dahil ang taongbayan ang pinakamahalagang elemento na bubuo ng decision

tungkol sa mga usaping ito,”Pangilinan said.

The hearing wants to hear from sectoral representatives and the crowd whether there is a need to change or revised the constitution; if yes, what provisions have to be amended; Should it be done through a constitutional assembly (ConAss) or constitutional convention (Concon); If it’s the former, should the two chamber votes jointly or separately; and should the congress limits its power in ConAss.

During the previous hearings, the committee has discussed about whether ChaCha helps solve hunger, poverty alleviation, traffic, unemployment, affordable quality education, and other social problems.

It also wants to know if ChaCha would put an end in the long time problem on corruption and fix everything that blocks development and progress of the Filipino people.

“ChaCha rin ba ang solusyon sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa ating rehiyon? Magkakaisa na ba at wala nang armadong grupo?Kailangan ba ang BBL bago Federalismo at ChaCha,”Pangilinan said.

The opposition senator said several versions of the type of federalism has been put forward but everything is tentative and still to be finalized.

“We are faced with challenges as a nation and we can’t solve them unless we solve them together,”he added.

Noland Penas of Pakisama Mindanao, a non-government farmers’ organization, said they opt for a proper enforcement of the constitution instead of changing it.

He said the 1987 constitution protects the basic human rights and the rights of farmers and the indigenous peoples.

“No to Charter change sa panahon karon. Ipatuman og insakto ang 1987 constitution,”Penas said.

Sheryl Lorenza of Panao Sumilao in Bukidnon also said farmers will be one of the most affected sectors if the the constitution is changed.

She said lawmakers may have been conniving with the capitalists and political dynasties which threatens to diminish the power of the people.

“Dili kami uyon sa ChaCha kay kami ang apektado. Atong timan-an nga kung walay mag-uuma walay pagkaon ug walay kaugmaon,”she said.

Lawyer Ernesto Neri, who represents the Oro Youth Development Council, said they want ChaCha but not now.

He said before discussing about changing the constitution and federalism, the government should have at least a statement of diagnosis of the root problem of the Philippines.

“Before talking about Chacha, we have to strengthen bureaucracy and regulate political dynasties and consider professionalizing the political parties,”Neri said.

Lawyer Eddie Cuaresma, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Misamis Oriental (IBP-MisOr), said the groups favors changing the constitution paving the way for federal set-up of government.

However, he said the bill of rights, social justice and environment provisions must remain.

Other groups and individuals from the crowd also favor ChaCha but with reservations and questions.

The regional consultative hearings are set in four consecutive Thursdays. Two in Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro and in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Visayas and Luzon.