MANILA, Oct. 17, 2011— Saying that it is not the right time, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has opposed any amendment of the 1987 Constitution.
Pabillo said the country has so many problems that government officials should address instead of Charter change (Cha-cha).
“Andami nating dapat pahalagahan, ang pagbabago pa ng konstitusyon ang pakikialaman nila. Hindi naman natin sila pinili para galawin ang Saligang Batas natin,” Pabillo told church-run Radyo Veritas.
Earlier, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte both agreed to begin “exploratory talks” for the possibility of amending the Charter.
The officials, however, clarified that the changes to be proposed would be limited only to the law’s economic provisions.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has repeatedly rejected efforts of the Arroyo administration to initiate changes in the Constitution.
The prelates reasoned that Charter change should be best done after the 2010 national to remove doubts that those elected would extend their terms in office. [CBCPNews]
