Gatchalian not going along with Cha-cha with term extensions

For Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, talks of charter change (Cha-cha) should be stopped if political provisions are amended.

The lawmaker was reacting to Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon's call for the Senate and the House of Representatives to include political amendments in the ongoing efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution.

"I think 'pag sinama 'yan, 'wag na natin pag usapan ang Cha-cha. Economic provisions lang nga 88 percent na e...The reality is sa taumbayan, 'di acceptable ang political amendments," Gatchalian said during the Kapihan sa Senado.

Gatchalian, the first senator who filed a resolution to amend the economic provisions of the constitution in the 19th Congress, noted the latest Pulse Asia survey that showed at least 88% of Filipinos are against amending the charter at the moment.

The details of the latest study, he said, showed that around 70 percent of Filipinos are against extending the terms of office of elected government officials.

"Term extension is one of the things na ayaw ng taumbayan," he stressed.

Gatchalian admitted that he was disheartened by the "very revealing" survey results and said that it would be "very challenging" to convince the people that Cha-cha would be beneficial for the country even if they pass a measure to amend the constitution in Congress.

"Honestly, medyo nahinaan ako ng loob dahil nga ang laki nu'ng against at I was hoping na 50-50 lang so may chance na mapakita natin ang kabutihan, but like I said ngayon ang effort mas mataas na. Kailangan talaga mas klaro na hindi ito ginagawa para sa kabutihan lang ng mga pulitiko kundi sa kabutihan ng taumbayan," he said.

"It will be challenging to convince the people kahit maipasa namin dito 'yan... Magiging challenging 'yan na ipaliwanag sa labas ng Senado at kumbinsihin 'yung 88 percent magpalit ng isip," he said.

Gatchalian said the Senate leadership should discuss the impact of this survey on the ongoing hearings on Cha-cha when they resume session on April 29.
 
The lawmaker attributed the latest public opinion on Cha-cha on the controversial people's initiative, which caused animosity between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

"'Yung people's initiative, talagang naka-damage sa pag-iisip ng tao at dahil sa people's initiative, tingin na ng taumabyan hindi maganda ang Cha-cha. Whether economic [or] political, basta Cha-cha hindi maganda dahil nakita ng taumbayan 'yung bangayan at ang taumbayan ayaw nila ng mga lingkod-bayan na nagbabangayan," Gatchalian remarked.

Apart from this, the senator also said the issue of alleged corruption in gathering signatures for the people's initiative mattered.

"Narinig din nila ang issue ng corruption 'yung pagbibili ng pirma, 'yung pag-aabot ng mga P1,000, P200, kumbaga nagkaroon ng masamang imahe na 'yung Cha-cha dahil sa people's initiative," he added.

On March 20, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 which seeks to amend the 1987 Constitution and allow foreign ownership in vital industries.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the proposed removal of constitutional limitations on foreign ownership in certain sectors was the “last piece in the puzzle of investment measures” of the Marcos administration.

The Senate is still discussing RBH 6 which also focuses on amending certain economic provisions of the Constitution. Senate leaders believe there is no need to rush the passage of the measure.

RBH 6 was filed after the Senate and the House leadership made an agreement before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. where the Upper House will lead the deliberations on the amendments to the 1987 Constitution as long as the people's initiative, which is believed to be supported by congressmen, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez, will be halted.

Efforts to amend the Constitution via people’s initiative has become controversial after several lawmakers disclosed that some of the signatories were allegedly bribed or promised government aid.

The Senate unanimously released a manifesto against the present people’s initiative efforts, saying the House is out to abolish the Senate given that the document for signature asks voters if they are in favor of amending the Charter to allow members of Congress to jointly vote on constitutional amendments, a setup which would consider the vote of 24 senators and more than 300 House members.—LDF, GMA Integrated News