1987 Constitution has ‘some defects’

NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said he supports the move in Congress for Charter change (Cha-cha), because he believes that the 1987 Constitution has several defects.

The move for Cha-Cha is being pushed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feleciano Belmonte.

Marañon pointed out that the priority amendments in the Constitution should be the provision on voting for senators.

Under the present system, senators are elected at large. This system deprives some provinces and regions of having their representatives in the Senate.

Marañon pushes for a system that will allow each region to have a representation in the Senate so that the needs and problems in each region will be equally addressed through their respective representatives.

The moves for Cha-cha were initiated almost in every term of the previous presidents since the administration of former President Fidel Ramos. However, it did not push through because it was opposed by the Church and other organizations that believe the Cha-cha proponents only want to extend their terms of office.

Enrile and Belmonte's stated priorities for Cha-cha are focused on the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

The move, however, is also being opposed by no other than President Benigno Aquino III, who said that his administration was able to bring in economic progress without Cha-cha. (Teresa D. Ellera)