Rama wants referendum on proposed Cha-Cha

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who is also president of the League of Cities in the Philippines, prefers a referendum to be simultaneously held with the national and local elections in 2025 to determine the sentiments of the people in the proposed Charter change rather than the so-called people’s initiative.

Rama, a lawyer by profession, said he supports Charter change but should be done through a constitutional convention. He said a referendum is a good start and is necessary to determine the true sentiments of the people.

The mayor believes that this would allow the Filipinos to clearly decide if there is a need for Charter change rather than leave the matter to politicians who may have vested interest.

“I-issue nana karong umaabot nga 2025 elections aron maapil na’g estorya,” said Rama.

According to Rama, it can be included in the official ballot. “Kung moabot na didto, ang Comelec mo-istorya ana, para mapangutana na. Kung mahimo in a referendum aron mabutang sa balota,” he added.

Rama stands by his earlier position against the people’s initiative and expressed his disappointment why the issue suddenly cropped up with some national politicians pushing it.

“Mura naman siya’g uhong nibutho. Karon nidaghan na ang istorya about people’s initiative,” Rama said.

The mayor lamented that the proposal to change the Constitution has become a “secret initiative” to further the ambitions of some political groups.

Rama said he was one of those caught off guard by what was going on in the national level.

“It’s creeping in the dark, clandestinely, surreptitiously. Done in stealth, mura’g gilipat-lipat ta,” he added.

Despite the divisiveness of the initiative, the mayor continues to hope for a “united, indivisible, undivided Philippines.”

“It’s not easy but manhood, political maturity, statesmanship, heroism, patriotism, nationalism, I wish basta ing-ana na gani’ng dapita,” he said.

“Our country right now is at its threshold. Our country is not that much in stability,” Rama said. – Caecent No-ot