Friday, August 12, 2005
Local officials ask legislators to work on changing charter
By Jeanette P. Malinao
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Local officials nationwide are asking senators and congressmen to “think beyond immediate personal interests, decide beyond partisan political loyalties,” and “devote their attention to the most urgent task of constitutional reform.”
In a manifesto, the leagues of governors, city and municipal mayors, vice governors, provincial board members, vice mayors and councilors called on senators to “stop blocking a movement for political restructuring that the whole country needs badly, and convene a constituent assembly now.”
Theirs is an echo of the call of President Arroyo for Charter change. In her State of the Nation Address, Arroyo proposed that Congress convene as a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Plebiscite
“We urge both houses of Congress to complete their draft of the new Constitution within 60 to 90 days, so that the new Charter may be submitted to our people in a plebiscite for approval soonest,” read the leagues’ statement, posted on the website of the House of Representatives.
The manifesto was reportedly signed by Gov. Erico Aumentado, president of the League of Provinces and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (Ulap); Mayor Ramon N. Guico, president of the League of Municipalities; Mayor Jerry B. Trenas, president of the League of Cities of the Philippines; Vincent Piccio, national president of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines; and Carlo Pontico Fortuna, national president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL).
Signatories
Among the other signatories were Elmer Datuin, national chairman of PCL; Gov. Ben Evardone Ulap spokesman; Vice Mayor Jesus Cruz, national president of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines; and Maan Mananzan executive director of Samahang Kabataan ng Pilipinas.
“Our decision on constitutional change now will shape our country’s future and our children’s tomorrow... We also support a proposal to hold Constitutional consultations to include barangay assemblies nationwide, so that citizens, civil society and the private sector under the aegis of the Citizens Constitutional Consultative Commission can help both houses of Congress finalize the new Charter,” they said.
They also urged Congress to “limit” their amendments to reviewing the form and structure of government and reviewing “protectionist provisions” that deter our country’s economic development.
Financing
The local leaders are also supporting proposals to authorize public financing for qualified political parties.
They believe this will reduce political corruption, prohibit the perpetuation of political dynasties and penalize party switching or the turncoat system.
(August 12, 2005 issue)
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