Press Release
July 15, 2018

Do not rush Charter change, Drilon appeals
Do not rush Charter change and let the committee system work, Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon urged Congress.

"Congress should not be rushed into amending the Constitution to pave the way for federalism," stressed Drilon, reiterating his earlier warning about the possibility that allies of the President are planning to postpone the 2019 mid-term elections in order to extend their term.

"Amending our Charter is not like passing an ordinary legislation. It is much harder than that. It requires comprehensive studies and deliberations. There are a lot of imponderables and implications that can affect our people of today and of the generations to come," Drilon said.

"Let the committee system work. Let the committee draft its report and route it to its member. Then, let the debate to proceed," he added.

Citing past studies, Drilon said that only three regions - the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Region IV - were found to have the capability and resources to stand on their own once the country shifts to a federal form of government.

"How about the poorest regions and provinces?" asked Drilon.

The minority leader warned that the real motive behind moves to rush the Charter change could be "no-election".

"As the saying goes, the cat is out of the bag. Charter change is being pushed in order that the election could be postponed. Clearly, Cha-cha is meant for 'no-el,'" Drilon said.

He also warned that in the event that the mid-term election is cancelled, the President could exercise his power to appoint every mayor, governor, congressman, and even senators.

"Because there is no holdover provision in the Constitution. The officials who were elected last May 2016 elections will have to vacate their posts by June 30 of next year as provided for in the Constitution," Drilon said.

Hence, the President can extend their terms or appoint their replacement, Drilon said, adding that such power was already upheld by the Supreme Court.

However, Drilon hopes that the administration and its allies in Congress would seriously consider the people's sentiment about Charter change and federalism, following survey results showing that a greater majority of Filipinos are opposed to the Charter change.

"Marami pa tayong dapat tingnan at pag-aralan nang husto. Sa huling survey na lumalabas, mas nakakarami, seven out of 10, ang nagsabi na huwag nating baguhin ang Saligang Batas," Drilon said.

He said that the Filipinos are more concerned about the ballooning inflation, rising prices of fuel products and basic commodities, unemployment, and criminality, which, he said, the government should be able to address first.

News Latest News Feed