MANILA, July 12, 2013—A top churchman has called on lawmakers to take a cautious stand in amending the Philippine Constitution.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said Charter change is a serious matter because it will determine the future of the Filipinos.
“As we always say, we should be extra cautious and I think we need more time to study,” Palma said. “It can’t be all of a sudden we will think of Charter change.”
While the CBCP does not have a position yet on the fresh move to revise the Charter, the archbishop said its pros and cons must carefully be studied.
While the bishops admit that there are provisions in the Constitution that needs amendment, “It’s not a matter of just changing it,’ he said.
“Sometimes, we even say we already have good laws and it’s just a question of implementing the laws that we have,” Palma added.
Palma also noted that the prelates are not experts with the laws so they would rather leave the matter to “constitutional experts”.
Last Tuesday, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. filed a resolution pushing for changes in the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions.
On Thursday, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez filed another bill proposing both political and economic change to the Charter through a constitutional convention.
Malacañang said President Benigno Aquino III is not closing the doors for Charter Change but does not see it as a priority yet. (CBCPNews)
