BAGUIO CITY – Pilipino Tayo Movement (PTM) held the first regional Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) forum at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center (BCCC) led by the local government, as the city supports PTM’s call for the revision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution to address the nation’s socio-political, economic, and security challenges through a constitutional convention.
City officials said that they simply joined PTM as their principles align with PTM’s manifesto as well as their fight against corruption and advocacy on good governance.
“Amending the political provision, would guarantee that we will be able to promote efficiently and favorably yung ating pinaglalaban na good governance and in the fight against corruption,” they said.
They added that they also see corruption as a threat to national security.
Speakers of the forum were PTM lead convenor and former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chairman Greco Belgica, along with co-convenors and former Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) officials Carlos Quita and Eduardo Bringas.
The speakers presented the Philippine Global Rankings, revealing the Philippines current global standing in different aspects. Including the placement of 115th out of 180 in being the most corrupt and 34th out of 145 in terms of military power. These two reasons were some of the highlights of the forum.
Lead convenor Belgica said that what they are calling for is not only amending certain provisions in the current constitution but to write a new constitution befitting the present time.
“Kinakailangan din po na ang ating gobyerno, ang ating mga batas, would adapt and address the situations now. Before, isa lang ang pinapaalis na dictator dahil absolute power corrupts absolutely. Ngayon na naglagay tayo ng kongreso, ng senado, tapos LGU, nakita natin na dumami naman yung mga nang-aabuso”, Belgica said.
Magalong also seconded the need for the amendment,
“It’s about time na kailangan na natin amyendahan considering the fact that iba na ang panahon when they crafted the 1987 constitution. Iba ang environment nun eh,ngayon ibang-iba na ang environment. Kaya kailangan na rin mag adapt tayo sa present environment otherwise hindi tayo aasenso, hindi rin tayo makakahabol”.
“Dito sa aking pakikipaglaban sa korapsyon at itong adbokasiya ko sa good governance, nalaman ko na tatlo yung para ma amyenda. Nalaman ko na yung Con-as at people’s initiative, hindi magiging epektibo for the simple reason that there’s just so much distrust on the government. So the only way to really gain the support of the people is through the con-con”, he added.
As the Philippines placed 97th out of 140 in the World Justice Index, Belgica also mentioned how the Philippines have a weak justice system, not able to hold politicians accountable.
“Madaling parusahan ang mga ordinaryong tao. Pero yung politiko, ‘di maparusahan. Hindi naman lahat masama, pero yung mga masasama, ‘pag hindi mo pinaparusahan, hindi tumitigil. Kaya dumadami pa sila”.
Belgica further stated that one of their goals is to strengthen the power of the public. Not dependent on the president and congress, but to be independently able to hold people accountable, both those in the government or not.
As PTM underscored how corruption affects many pressing concerns of the country, they also reiterated its major role in the poor state of our country’s defense and security.
They envision a country that can defend its freedom and independence from foreign threats. As Belgica said,
“Napakahina ng ating bansa, hindi natin maipagtanggol ang ating sarili, why? Because of corruption. Yung mga pera na dapat nadadala, nabibili ng mga gamit ng mga mas malakas na sandatahan, napupunta sa corruption. So heto, we see ourselves in this predicament. Hindi lang tayo hirap bilang tao, mahina din tayo bilang bayan”.
The movement claims that these issues can be solved through a constitutional convention where everyone is represented. In terms of corruption, Belgica said that it may not be solved 100% but there will be a big difference as government officials won’t be able to abuse their power and authority.
“Hindi natin mazezero ang corruption pero definitely bagsak na bagsak yan dahil mabibiyak ang kapangyarihan, mabibiyak din ang corruption. Dahil related and connected, the more power, the more opportunity for corruption so the less power the less opportunity and chance for corruption.”
While many people are wary of government officials who will take advantage of charter change (cha-cha) to extend term limits, Pilipino Tayo Movement claimed that term extension proposals will be forbidden in a constitutional convention.
“Through a constitutional convention magkakaroon tayo ng equal standing sa mga may kapangyarihan, pantay-pantay tayo dahil delegado tayo. Wala silang advantage over us in terms of influence dahil magbobotohan. At kung sila ay magproropose, pwede tayong kumontra, pwede din tayong magpropose ng sarili natin, opisyal ka man o ordinaryong tao”, Belgica said.
Furthermore, he said that it may not be perfect for all because perfect is subjective, but he affirmed that there can be a government that we can work with, accept and move on from there.
Among the three ways to amend a constitution, Belgica said that the con-con is the most trustworthy. As it is the most democratic where everyone is represented, since delegates will be determined by the public as they elect who can represent their best interest.
“Sinasabi nilang mahal pero palagay ko mas mahal ang 37 years of corruption pag binilang mo”, Belgica said.
With Cordillera’s persistence to call for a regional autonomy, Belgica said that Cordillera is a good example for the kind of government they are proposing.
“Kayo po at Mindanao ang mas naiintindihan ito kesa marami. The desire for self-determination”, Belgica said.
“I want to see Cordillera to be autonomous, similar to what happened to BARMM, mas malaya sila. I want to see what will happen to the Cordillerans, to the highlanders”, he added.
Pilipino Tayo Movement will continue to go around other regions that opened its doors for a constitutional convention forum. Belgica said that its goal is for the constitutional convention to happen before October.
“Best hope before October, para makasabay na ang mga delegado sa susunod na eleksyon. That’s our best hope, but then, if that doesn’t happen, it will not stop us from still informing and going around and recruiting leaders. And teaching people kung ano ba itong ating ginagawa. It is still a critical part of this advocacy. Yun po ang hope natin. I know at the right time magbubunga yan.” By Peachy Clarisse L. Tillay
