Press Release - Robin: Political Amendments to Charter Can Make a Difference vs Hunger

Amending the 1987 Constitution's political provisions can make not just a difference but a big difference in addressing hunger and other basic problems, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla said on Saturday.

Padilla, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said such amendments aim to give elected officials more opportunities to improve their delivery of basic public services.

"Malaking bagay. Ang lahat ng root ng kahirapan natin ay kung ang perang dapat nakalaan sa ating bansa at taumbayan, masigurado nating lumanding sa taumbayan at Inang Bayang Pilipinas. Napakalaking bagay para umahon sa kahirapan. At napakalaking budget ng ating gobyerno para sa inyo at sa bayan (It will make a big difference. To get to the root of poverty, we should make sure public funds go to the public and the nation. That will be a big help because the government has a big budget for the people and the country)," he said in an interview on DWPM (Teleradyo Serbisyo).

He said this would include making sure service such as food security, power, and water supply reach the people.

"Pag nagkaroon ng matitinong opisyal lalo sa local government, mararamdaman ninyo ang gobyerno kahit sa malayong lugar. Yan ang ating minimithi, ang trabaho ng gobyerno siguraduhing ang basic needs maibigay (If we elect good officials especially in the local government, people will feel the presence of government even in remote areas. That is our dream, to make sure government gives people their basic needs)," he said.

Padilla stressed anew the need to amend economic and political provisions of the Constitution, after two former secretaries - Margarito Teves (DOF) and Romulo Neri (NEDA) - claimed the 1987 Constitution's provisions are outdated and cannot address the needs of the times.

He plans to file a new resolution to amend the Charter through a Constitutional Convention, which involves delegates trusted by the people.

Earlier, Padilla filed Resolution of Both Houses 5, which among others proposes longer terms for elected officials, to give them better opportunities to plan and implement their programs and projects.

For now, Padilla pledged to continue pushing for