Redefining “Cha-cha:” CHARACTER Change

(an editorial written for a school publication in 2014)

Charter change or “cha-cha” really dances in every Filipino’s mind today because
of the issues about President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III.

According to the news, he has plans to run again next election, therefore,
extending his term from the normal six-year span, with his desire to complete his reform
programs. Aquino said that he is open to the idea of changing some provisions of the
Constitution to limit the Judiciary’s alleged abuse of power.

But this has gained negative feedbacks from the public, thinking that it would
threaten our country’s democracy and indicate his disrespect to his parents since his
father Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in the struggle against Marcos while his mother
was also one of the leaders of the “People Power” that triumphed over the excesses
and abuses of the presidency; also, the 1987 Philippine Constitution which limits the
presidents to a single six-year term was established by the late President Corazon
Aquino.

Is it really that malicious to run again dreaming of a better economy and

governance for our country? Of course not, especially if the President is the one who
boosted our economic growth, revealed the “real” corruption happening in our
government, and uncovered the cheating on earlier presidential elections.

Many of us who are throwing criticisms are only looking on the side that accuses
PNoy as an unlawful president worthy to be impeached, but do we really know what he
has exactly done for our country? Because all I see is a president who is willing to be a
bachelor who would only vow for the good of the Philippines.

For now, we may not feel the progress in our economy and government, but
someday, our eyes will be opened and we’ll see a very nice glimpse of our country that
is progressing in all aspects. We must take into consideration that in order to share our
goals for our nation, we just have to take some risks. These risks are more than
changing the Constitution but focus specifically on our attitude as citizens of our nation.
We need CHARACTER change.

We must not deny that all of the chaos happening in our government today roots
from our lack of ethical values. In the government side, we, the sovereign people have
the right to criticize our government because it is innate in us that we love our country
and we want to change for the better. However, I think, we must not always condemn
and concentrate on the negative side, rather, we must take the initiative to act now and
change what is unscrupulous.

We all desperately need to change how we run our lives. Above all, we need a
good future for our children and grandchildren. We can show our love and loyalty to our
motherland through the righteous values for moral and ethical behavior. By now, we
must first honestly recognize that we need to change our own ways. We must learn to
discipline ourselves first, so we can strive for a new beginning.

Let’s all work hand in hand and be the one to make a difference. Together, we
can take back our country and restore the government system which, in turn, can
educate the citizens and leaders for better future societies if we have the commitment to
define our moral character.

Change in Constitution therefore is an issue that should not be dealt immensely

because what is more important is on how we should change ourselves.

Let’s have the conviction now that whatever happens in our country shall not be
blamed only to government officials because we are the ones who have chosen them.
In the end, there is no one to be blamed except ourselves.

-Denvie Joy B. Regondon