MEMBERS of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) are questioning the purpose of Charter Change (Cha-cha) advocates in pushing for the passage of a bill calling for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
“I have doubts as to the motive. Let’s pray hard for God to enlighten hearts and mind of the people who are pushing this Con-Con bill,” Baguio Bishop Carlito Cenzon said over Radio Veritas 846 on Wednesday.
For Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, the Con-Con should be conducted after the May elections.
“The Con-Con should be done after elections. Watch and pray. The devil is like a roaring lion ready to devour its prey,” he said.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes meanwhile advised legislators to stop pushing for Cha-cha, saying that the public is not familiar with it.
“Congress should no longer take such foolish move which is clearly unpopular at this time. Starting again now will confirm people’s suspicions about hidden agenda to perpetuate Arroyo to power,” he said.
On the other hand, Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez urged the people to be vigilant since the advocates to change the Constitution will not stop until they get what they want.
“The Church and the civil society are watching. If this will be detrimental to the public, this should be stopped. We should make sure that this is really for the good of the country,” he said.
It was reported that House Bill 6975 is among the priority programs of the Lower House.
The bill seeks the election of Con-con members by October coinciding with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. (FP/Sunnex)