Press Release - Estrada privilege speech: Defending the sanctity of our democratic institutions

Mister President, honorable members of this esteemed chamber:

I rise today on a matter of personal and collective privilege. We find ourselves on the verge of a constitutional crisis, brought about by the audacious attempt to force a Charter change through a people's initiative.

While the idea of empowering the people to participate in shaping the fundamental law of the land is noble, the manner in which this initiative is being pursued reeks of a blatant disregard for the delicate fabric of our democratic system.

Sa umpisa pa lang, diskumpyado na. Ang dapat sana'y pangangalap ng pirma para ipetisyon ang pag-amyenda ng kasalukuyang Saligang Batas ay nabahiran ng pagdududa dahil sa napabalitang pamimigay ng pera sa kada pirma ng mga botante.

While the call for change is a hallmark of a vibrant democracy, we must not lose sight of our responsibility to ensure that the public is well aware of the reasons behind such a monumental undertaking and the profound impact it will have on their lives.

Before we embark on the journey of constitutional change, we must ask ourselves: Have we adequately informed the public about the reasons behind this call for Charter change? Do our constituents truly understand the implications of altering the very fabric of our constitutional framework?

Sagrado ang ating Konstitusyon. Hindi lang ito legal na dokumento, ito ang pinakamataas na batas ng ating bansa. Naglalaman ito ng mga karapatan at tungkulin nating lahat at nagtatakda ng mga limitasyon sa kapangyarihan ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan.

It is a social contract, a pact between the governed and the government that outlines the principles and values that shape our nation. Any attempt to amend this sacred document entails the informed and unequivocal consent of the people.

Sa naiulat kamakailan na survey na isinagawa ng OCTA Research noong nakaraang Disyembre, 73 percent ng mga respondents ang nagsabi na mas nais nilang resolbahin muna ang tumataas na presyo ng mga pangunahin bilihin at serbisyo kesa pagtuunan ang Cha-cha.

Based on the results of Tugon ng Masa survey of OCTA Research, controlling inflation was an urgent concern and this was followed by access to affordable food and