 |
| Protesters hold banners opposing Cha-Cha outside the Consulate |
A group of migrant workers staged a picket outside the Philippine Consulate offices in Admiralty yesterday, Mar 19, to protest against moves by legislators to call for a Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
The protest was a follow-up to a lightning rally
held Sunday on Chater Road in Central by the militant groups to denounce the so-called “Cha-Cha” or
charter change, which lawmakers say is only aimed at allowing foreign investors
full ownership of public utilities, schools and advertising.
Members of the House of Representatives have already
approved the measure on second reading, and have vowed to pass the same on its
third and final reading this week, ahead of the March 22 Lenten break of Congress.
 |
| PINDUTIN PARA DETALYE |
But the charter change should also be approved by
the Senate and the President before it becomes law.
Critics, including militant OFW groups United
Filipinos – Migrante Hong Kong maintain that the move to amend the Constitution
would also include ultimately the removal of the six-year, no-reelection term
for the sitting president, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
They said any moves to amend the charter should come
from the Filipino people themselves.
 |
| TAWAG NA! |
“If the Filipino people really want to dance the
ChaCha, then they would campaign for it, isn’t it? But since they see no
benefit in it for them, they aren’t campaigning (for) it,” said Unifil-Migrante
in its statement.
The group said Filipinos know that the move to change the Constitution is more for the benefit of President Marcos and his imperialist partners in the United States than the promised economic reform for the country.
 |
| Lightning rally on Chater Road last Sunday |
Proponents of the House Bill claim that if it is
passed, foreign direct investments would double and two million jobs would be
created. They cite figures showing that the Philippines has lagged behind its
ASEAN neighbors in foreign investment inflows from 2010 to 2020.
But opponents told a Senate hearing that what the
country needs is reform in the sectors affected and not an easing of foreign
ownership.
Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, who
was one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, said “there are no valid
scenarios and compelling reasons” to amend the charter.
 |
| PINDUTIN ITO |
Under Philippine law, the Constitution may be amended
either through a constitutional convention composed of delegated, with Congress
sitting as a constituent assembly, or a through a people’s initiative.
At least 12% of all voters nationwide and 3% of
voters in each legislative district, must approve the move to change the charter,
to constitute a valid people’s initiative.
 |
| PADALA NA! |
.jpg) |
| PRESS FOR DETAILS |
