Manila Mayor Isko Moreno answers questions at a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. (Photo by CATHY MIRANDA / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday pointed to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as an example that Charter change (Cha-cha) would not be necessary to solve problems in the country.
Recto underscored this as he praised the mayor for his efforts in addressing issues in the national capital.
“Isko Moreno is the glowing ‘Exhibit A’ of the reality that many of the country’s problems can be solved without having to rewrite the Constitution,” Recto said in a statement.
Recto further noted a change of plans, vision and management style could spark change, “rather than the untested benefits that Charter change promises to bring.”
“It seems that more progress can be wrought by seriously implementing whatever existing laws there are than in rewriting the basic law of the land later,” Recto said.
The senator added that changing the Constitution would not be needed to address problems such as flooding, traffic, and crime.
“Hindi rin ito ang pangunahing sangkap upang dumami ang trabaho, lumago ang industriya, at umusbong ang pabahay,” Recto said.
[Neither is this the primary ingredient in increasing jobs, developing industry, and building houses.]
Recto is not the first senator to praise Moreno.
On Sunday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson expressed hope that Moreno would be able to sustain his performance and not be “eaten” up dirty politics.
“I hope I am not speaking too soon. As long as we see the emergence of new leaders like Mayor Isko Moreno, we can look forward to retirement and continue dreaming big for our beloved country,” Lacson said in a Twitter post.
Among Moreno’s programs in his early days in office include clearing of streets in Manila of illegal vendors and signing an executive order promoting open governance.
Arguments, not numbers
Recto said he welcomed those supportive of Cha-cha to raise the issue for discussion. He noted, however, that the final decision on whether the Constitution would be amended should be based on arguments and not merely numbers.
“Having said that, I, however, recognize the right and welcome the move of proponents of constitutional amendments to bring their proposals for debate in a manner that is exhaustive, not expedient; thorough, not truncated,” Recto said.
“Any idea that is presented before Congress must win by the force of its arguments and not by the mere number of people supporting it,” he added.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call for changing the Constitution in his speech before newly-appointed officials in Malacañang.
“We have to change the Constitution — whether federal or what-not,” the President said.
Recto said, however, amending the Constitution should not be “part of the government’s railroad program.”
/atm