Constitutional Charter Change is the Best Way!
As for me, the reforms in the Constitution being espoused by the Duterte Administration, should be initiated in any method prescribed by the Constitution itself, which is the highest law of the land. And that is constitutional charter change.
Under the Constitution, it can be amended or revised by either of the following:
1.) A Constituent Assembly, by a vote of the 3/4 of all the Members of the both Houses of Congress;
2.) A Constitutional Convention, by an act of the both Houses of Congress and;
3.) A People's Initiative provided there must be a law first that has to be passed about it.
At present, the option for Constituent Assembly mode towards constitutional reforms for adoption of federalism and semi-presidential form of government is being undertaken at the both Houses of Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, which its Committee on Constitutional Amendments is presently hearing different proposals for such reforms. In the Senate, its Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Codes have heard the proposals for reforms only once and I hope it will resume its hearing soon.
Constitutional Charter Change or CCC, is indeed very frustrating as it takes some time. Because revising or amending the Constitution is not so easy. It requires so many, many consultations especially from experts, and it obliges debates by the legislators tasked to revise or amend such Constitution to know their respective view points in doing so before adopting revisions or amendments to the said Constitution before submitting to the Filipino people in a plebiscite for ratification or non-ratification.
I understand the deep disappointment of some Filipinos that is why they are asking the President to declare a Revolutionary Government to initiate sweeping changes in a faster manner. While I appreciate their desire to help the President in carrying out his promise of reforming the Constitution, they in reality, want him to become a dictator, a one-man ruler. And the proposal for a Revolutionary Government would result into dictatorship, and will destroy rule of law and the very sanctity of democracy that is why I have vehemently opposed it in my posts in Facebook many times.
The CCC of course, still involves us, the sovereign Filipino people because the legislators will still seeks our thoughts on the planned reforms in the Constitution and we can say our respective points of view as inputs in their task which not performing lawmaking duties, but performing constituent powers in the committee hearings in both Houses of Congress, even only in the committee level, not on the plenary level in which the legislators will debate on the planned reforms, and includes our would-be proposals.
CCC is the best way because it strengthens democratic institutions and the very fiber of the rule of law and it complies with either of the processes mentioned by the Constitution.
CCC too involves the people further more, because we will vote in the planned reforms in the Constitution in a plebiscite and will vote whether or not we will approve it. If we approve it, the reforms would be effective immediately and the Constitution would be finally reformed and the administration's desire for federalism and semi-presidential form of government, as well as the reforms on the economic provisions that will generate and maximize foreign investment will be achieved. If we do not approve, the Constitution, the present 1987 Constitution will stay as it is. That is simple as that.
That is why, we the people must keep lobbying on our legislators in reforming our Constitution, which is also good for the country, and not their personal interests. If they do so, they will contribute to making our country great.
Lastly, let me say that the CCC method should be the one be used in making our Constitution changed. And I hope this short blog of mine about it convinces you, my fellow Filipinos that it is the only way we can move our country forward if we comply with our Constitution in reforming it.
Comments can be sent to my e-mail:
jamesvelina45@gmail.com
Under the Constitution, it can be amended or revised by either of the following:
1.) A Constituent Assembly, by a vote of the 3/4 of all the Members of the both Houses of Congress;
2.) A Constitutional Convention, by an act of the both Houses of Congress and;
3.) A People's Initiative provided there must be a law first that has to be passed about it.
At present, the option for Constituent Assembly mode towards constitutional reforms for adoption of federalism and semi-presidential form of government is being undertaken at the both Houses of Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, which its Committee on Constitutional Amendments is presently hearing different proposals for such reforms. In the Senate, its Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revisions of Codes have heard the proposals for reforms only once and I hope it will resume its hearing soon.
Constitutional Charter Change or CCC, is indeed very frustrating as it takes some time. Because revising or amending the Constitution is not so easy. It requires so many, many consultations especially from experts, and it obliges debates by the legislators tasked to revise or amend such Constitution to know their respective view points in doing so before adopting revisions or amendments to the said Constitution before submitting to the Filipino people in a plebiscite for ratification or non-ratification.
I understand the deep disappointment of some Filipinos that is why they are asking the President to declare a Revolutionary Government to initiate sweeping changes in a faster manner. While I appreciate their desire to help the President in carrying out his promise of reforming the Constitution, they in reality, want him to become a dictator, a one-man ruler. And the proposal for a Revolutionary Government would result into dictatorship, and will destroy rule of law and the very sanctity of democracy that is why I have vehemently opposed it in my posts in Facebook many times.
The CCC of course, still involves us, the sovereign Filipino people because the legislators will still seeks our thoughts on the planned reforms in the Constitution and we can say our respective points of view as inputs in their task which not performing lawmaking duties, but performing constituent powers in the committee hearings in both Houses of Congress, even only in the committee level, not on the plenary level in which the legislators will debate on the planned reforms, and includes our would-be proposals.
CCC is the best way because it strengthens democratic institutions and the very fiber of the rule of law and it complies with either of the processes mentioned by the Constitution.
CCC too involves the people further more, because we will vote in the planned reforms in the Constitution in a plebiscite and will vote whether or not we will approve it. If we approve it, the reforms would be effective immediately and the Constitution would be finally reformed and the administration's desire for federalism and semi-presidential form of government, as well as the reforms on the economic provisions that will generate and maximize foreign investment will be achieved. If we do not approve, the Constitution, the present 1987 Constitution will stay as it is. That is simple as that.
That is why, we the people must keep lobbying on our legislators in reforming our Constitution, which is also good for the country, and not their personal interests. If they do so, they will contribute to making our country great.
Lastly, let me say that the CCC method should be the one be used in making our Constitution changed. And I hope this short blog of mine about it convinces you, my fellow Filipinos that it is the only way we can move our country forward if we comply with our Constitution in reforming it.
Comments can be sent to my e-mail:
jamesvelina45@gmail.com
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