Press Release
July 16, 2018

Statement by Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on the latest Pulse Asia Survey on Proposals to Change the Constitution

"The Filipino people have spoken out against attempts to change the Constitution. The leadership of both houses of Congress must take into account this overwhelming sentiment of the people.

"The fact that opposition to Charter change increased in the last quarter despite the aggressive campaign and information drive on Charter change for the past months speaks of the people's strong opposition towards amending our charter.

"There is no one else to blame for the rising opposition against Charter change but the very people advocating for it, particularly those in Congress, who muddled the issue and are planning to use Charter change to suspend the election and extend their term. Postponing elections means on July 1, 2019, when terms of elected officials expire, the President can appoint 12 senators, all congressmen, all governors, all mayors, and all local officials.

"The survey only confirms that, even if Congress rushes the procedure and passes a new charter that will pave the way for a federal form of government, people will reject it.

"So, why rush it when the resources and efforts that Congress - and the government - put into this Charter change movement can be channeled to other urgent matters affecting our countrymen such as inflation, unemployment, and rising criminality?"

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