‘All about greed': Motives of Cha-cha proponents questioned

MANILA, Philippines — Minority lawmakers have raised concerns about the true intentions of those behind the campaign to change the 1987 Constitution, questioning both the timing and legitimacy of the push to liberalize economic provisions of the Charter that were crafted precisely to protect the nation’s interests.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has flagged the reported “People’s Initiative” being carried out across several provinces — which have been marred by allegations of vote-buying — and raised doubts over the origins of the signature drive.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers) has questioned the need for Charter change at all and warned that the proposed economic tweaks could serve as a pretext for political amendments. 

“It’s not right to call the petition a ‘People’s Initiative’ because this did not come from the people themselves,” Hontiveros said in Filipino.

“This well-funded, well-oiled campaign is not about the people - it is all about greed and the desire to act with zero accountability to the nation,” Hontiveros added. 

The senator also criticized the actual demand of the People’s Initiative campaign, which is for both chambers of Congress to “vote jointly” during a Constituent Assembly, which would give the House an upper hand in the voting process as they outnumber the 24-member Senate.

Hontiveros stressed that the sole intention of those behind the signature drive is to sideline the upper chamber.

“Let us be clear: the reported 'people's initiative' is not about any economic or political reforms in the Constitution. The form that is supposedly circulating did not mention anything about it,” the senator added.

Hontiveros has also called on Filipinos to keep each other informed and to avoid being “deceived.”

“We will not allow their planned deceit and disrespect for our Constitution to be an easy, one-sided battle. We will confront their schemes with a strong fight,” Hontiveros said.

Similarly, Castro has criticized both chambers’ push to amend the Charter and stressed that relaxing the restrictions on foreign ownership in the country is not necessary to revive the economy.

Citing data from economic think tank IBON