Is there a need to change the 1987

Philippine Constitution?

Charter Change (Cha-Cha) also called constitutional reform,

refers to amendments or revisions in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution. It has been brought up by almost every
administration since Martial Law.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution reestablished the democracy
halted by decades of Martial Law under former dictator Ferdinand
Marcos. Now, lawmakers in Congress are once again attempting
to change the nation’s highest law. The administration of
President Rodrigo Duterte is attempting to change the
Constitution to make way for Federalism. This caused the division
of our nation standing as pros and cons. Both, parties have
gathered data to prove and defend their points. Pro people
believed that we might need a revolutionary government to
abolish the existing unjust and dysfunctional social and political
structures that only make the rich richer and the poor poorer.
However, while the Constitution is not perfect, people against the
amendment insists that now is not the time to change it.
Jose V. Abueva, a Professor Emeritus of Public Administration
and Political Science in U P since 1998 once said that one way to
reform and transform our bulk system is to abolish all national
elections because these are very expensive, corrupting, and
dysfunctional. The national election of our President, Vice-
President and 24 senators is very expensive because of the high
cost of nationwide campaigning and electoral administration. I
agree to him, however he missed out a most important detail: who
will write a new constitution. Congress acting as a constituent
assembly to frame a new constitution cannot be trusted to write a
constitution that will mandate the radical reforms we need in our
social, economic and political order. Congressman and Senators
have precisely vested interests to protect, primarily their interest
in preserving the status quo.
No matter how you weigh in between these groups, both has
advantage and disadvantage effect, whether they choose to
change it or not same effect can be felt by Filipinos. The current
constitution is way too inappropriate, continuing this will only open
further issues. While seeking for a new one such as Federalism is
a risk, the government should be ready enough to assure the
success of adopting the said amendment. Looking by both sides, I
should say that I’m not against nor alongside of it. What should be
done instead is a review to determine necessary changes.
Evaluation of 1987 Philippine Constitution will be better to
address the situation of Filipinos today.