Robredo says proposed changes to Constitution ‘untimely’

Vice President Leni Robredo claimed that the different proposals concerning constitutional amendment and postponement of the 2019 midterm elections should not be the central points of discussions.

“Hindi napapanahon ang diskusyon ukol sa pag-amyenda ng ating Saligang Batas, at lalo ang anumang mungkahing baguhin ang termino ng liderato at ipagpaliban ang eleksyon sa susunod na taon, dahil sa dami ng bumabagabag sa ating mga kababayan ngayon,” Robredo said in a statement on Sunday.

(It is not a good time to discuss proposed amendments to the constitution and changes to the term limits of leaders as well as the postponement of the next year’s election because of so many issues that burden our people.)

The vice president’s comments came after the Consultative Committee created by President Rodrigo Duterte approved the final draft of the proposed federal Constitution on Tuesday.

READ: Duterte’s Con-com OKs final draft of federal Constitution

The administration should instead focus on supposedly more critical issues such as inflation and the recent spate of violence, according to Robredo.

“Mula sa sunod-sunod na patayan, hanggang sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, ang pinakamahalagang usapin para sa mga Pilipino ay kung paano masosolusyonan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ang mga problemang ito,” she explained.

(The most important topics for discussion for Filipinos today are issues like how the current administration can solve problems like the spate of killings and the continuous rise in the prices of commodities.)

The country’s second-highest official implied that Filipinos are looking for answers to everyday problems — a duty which she hopes to fulfill for her tenure.

“Ang inaasahan ng taumbayan sa kanilang mga pinuno ay hanapan ng solusyon ang kanilang pang-araw araw na problema, tulad ng pagmahal ng mga bilihin at kakulangan ng kita,” she said.

“Ito ang tungkuling hinalal kami para gawin, at maaasahan ninyo na ito ang gagampanan natin hanggang matapos ang aking termino,” she added.

(What the people want from their leaders is to provide solutions to their daily problems, like the price hikes and the inadequacy of their take-home pay. This is the duty we were elected for, and I guarantee you that I would fulfill that until my term ends.)

Robredo also said that as the talks about constitutional amendment are sensitive, the discussions should not be hastened to consider the welfare of everybody and not just of some.

“Ang usapin ng pag-amyenda ng ating Saligang Batas ay hindi lamang tungkol sa iisang tao, partido, o organisasyon; may pangmatagalang epekto ito sa buong bansa at sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” she said.

(The discussions involving constitutional amendment is not only about a person, a party, or an organization; it has a lasting effect for the whole country and on the life of every Filipino.)

“Ang usaping simbigat nito ay hindi dapat minamadali at ginagawang tungkol lamang sa mga kasalukuyang nasa poder ng kapangyarihan. Kung pilitin ito nang hindi isinasalang sa akmang pag-aaral at konsultasyon, hindi ba’t isinusugal natin ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan?” she asked.

(Serious talks like these should not be done with haste and shouldn’t involve only the incumbent officials and those in power. If they insist this without proper study and consultation, isn’t it that we are placing our country at risk?) /ee