Local chief executives call for charter change

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 9) — More government officials expressed support for the lower chamber’s plan to revive charter change talks as members of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) greenlit a resolution pushing for amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

LCP national chairperson and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said the organization “fully” backs charter change initiatives.

READ: House to revive Cha-cha push in 2024 – Romualdez

“Matagal ng usapin itong charter change… dahil nakikita natin na maraming restrictive na provisions na nagiging hadlang sa ating pag-unlad,” he said in a statement Monday.

[Translation: This charter change has been part of discussions for a long time… because we see that many restrictive provisions hinder our progress.]

The group, however, has yet to specify which provisions in the Constitution they seek to change.

But talks on how the government can pursue the move have been ongoing, he said.

The 1987 Constitution provides for three modes of charter change: a constitutional convention, convening the House and Senate into a constituent assembly, and people's initiative.

“Ang isang pinag-uusapan muna paano natin aamyendahan ang Konstitusyon na sang-ayon sa nagugustuhan ng taumbayan,” the mayor said.

[Translation: One of the things being discussed is how we can amend the Constitution based on what the people want.]

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said they were looking into tapping the constituent assembly and people’s initiative to propose amendments to the Constitution.

On Monday, Senator Imee Marcos claimed that the people’s initiative was being marred by bribery, alleging that ₱20 million was offered per district to buy voters’ signatures.

READ: Imee Marcos: ₱20 million offered per district to buy votes for Cha-Cha