CHANGING OF THE CONSTITUTION

• WHY DO WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION?

the Constitution may have its flaws

• Critics and even defenders of the 1987
Constitution, know it is not a perfect
document. There are several provisions
that need to be clarified or to be amended
 CHANGING OF THE CONSTITUTION
• Constitutional reform in the Philippines, also known as
Charter Change (coloquially Cha-Cha) refers to the political
and legal processes needed to amend the current 1987
Constitution of the Philippines. Under the common
interpretation of the Constitution, amendments can be
proposed by one of three methods:
1. People’s Initiative
2. Constituent Assembly
3. Constitutional Convention
 CHANGING OF THE CONSTITUTION
1. People’s Initiative –
Petition of at least 12% of the total number of
registered voters, of which every legislative district
must be represented by at least 3% of the registered
voters therein. Then, it will be ratified through
plebiscite not earlier than sixty days nor later than
ninety days after the COMELEC certified the
sufficiency of the petition.
 CHANGING OF THE CONSTITUTION
2. Constituent Assembly - CONGRESS AS CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY
Vote by three-fourths of all its members, with
both 2 houses of the CONGRESS vote
separately.
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3. Constitutional Convention

The Congress may call a constitutional

convention by a vote of 2/3 of all its
members. Congress may also submit to the
electorate the question of calling such a
convention by a majority vote of all its
members.

The members of the Constitutional

Convention, not the members of Congress,
propose the amendments or revisions.
 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OR
REVISION TO THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
Ramos Administration
 The first attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution.
 Among the proposed changes in the constitution included a shift to a
parliamentary system and the lifting of term limits of public officials.
 Ramos argued that the changes will bring more accountability,
continuity, and responsibility to the "gridlock"-prone Philippine version
of presidential bicameral system.
Estrada Administration
 There was a similar attempt to change the 1987 constitution.
 CONCORD (Constitutional Correction for Development)- would amend
only the restrictive economic provisions of the constitution that are
considered to impede the entry of more foreign investments in the
Philippines.
Arroyo Administration
 Endorsed a constitutional change through a constituent assembly,
which entails a two-thirds vote of the House to propose
amendments or revision to the constitution.

Aquino III Administration

 Senate Resolution No. 10 by Senator Pimentel called for
constitutional reform to convert to a federal republic.
 Belmonte has joint resolution on economic provisions.
 They filed a bill pushing for a federal and parliamentary
government, in addition to economic liberalization.
Duterte Administration
 After winning, Duterte proposed to revive the proposed form of Nene
Pimentel.
 December 7, 2016- Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a
consultative committee (ConCom) to review the 1987 Constitution.
 July 3, 2018, the ConCom unanimously approved the draft constitution
through voting.
 Referred to as the “Bayanihan Constitution” (referring to the Filipino
value of communal work) by Duterte and the consultative committee,
the proposed federal charter includes an amendment that aims to
prohibit elected officials from switching political parties during the first
and last two years of their term, as a response to turncoat behavior.
 Also included are provisions that seek to ban political dynasties.
 Federalism
 A proposed type of government wherein sovereignty is
constitutionally divided between the national
government and sub divisional governments (such as states
or provinces).

How Federalism works?

The autonomous states are even further divided into local government units.
they will have the main responsibility over developing their local industries,
public health and safety, education, transportation, and culture. These states
have more power over their finances, policies, development plans, and laws.
References:
• United States. CIA World Factbook: Philippines, Web.
27Jun 2011.
• “Philippines Country Profile.” 22/04/2011. BBC News.
Web. 27Jun2011.
• United States Department of State. Background Note:
Philippines, 2011. Web 27Jun2011.
• United States Library of Congress. A Country
Study:Philippines, 2011. Web. 27Jun2011.
• Bacani, Benedicto. Presidential System in the Philippines:
Some Issues and Concerns. Web. 8Jul.2011.