Cavite Gov. Remulla on reforms to 1987 Constitution: Is it the right time?

Amid talks to make constitutional reforms, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla on Thursday questioned if it is the right time for such undertaking considering the country is being threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a Facebook post, Remulla said that while he is in favor of amendments to the 1987 Constitution, the government must prioritize addressing the health crisis.

"I believe that the Constitution is a living document that must reflect the wisdom of our times. I believe that ease of foreign investment and strengthening of the local government is a necessary part for the country to develop faster and better," Remulla said.

"But is it the right time? Ang COVID ay laganap at patuloy na kumakalat. Ang COVID ay nariyan pa. Hindi pa ito nawawala, bagkus ay lalo pang lumalaki ang problema ng bansa," he added.

Remulla underscored that addressing the pandemic requires focus and determination, saying the government must be singular in its effort to control the spread of the disease.

"COVID does not only affect the sick, it affects everyone. COVID chooses no one," he said. "Jobs are lost. The economy is in shambles. Lives are disrupted. Opportunities missed. Private schools have closed. Public schools are in flux." 

According to the governor, government officials should continue to prioritize testing and to conduct better contact tracing and isolation to fight the disease.

"Dapat wala tayo ibang unahin na kung ano-ano. Pagtuunan sana natin ng singular na atensyon ang paglaban at pagsugpo sa pandemya at aksyunan lahat ng problema na dulot nito," Remulla said.

"Tsaka na 'yang Charter change (ChaCha) or the proposed amendments to the Constitution," he added.

Earlier, the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) submitted a resolution to Department of the Interior and Local Government which stresses two constitutional amendments that they support — institutionalize the so-called Mandanas Ruling of the Supreme Court in the Constitution and the lifting of restrictions on foreign investment in industries that are presently limited to Filipinos.  

The LMP said these would help them attain economic and social progress in their respective localities.

Malacañang, however, said Charter change is not a priority amid the prevailing pandemic. — Anna Felicia Banjo/RSJ, GMA News