OVP: Ensure vaccines for Filipinos first before ‘wasting time’ on Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines — Securing COVID-19 vaccines for Filipinos should be the government’s priority instead of wasting time on Charter change (Cha-cha), the Office of the Vice President (OVP) said Thursday.

OVP spokesperson Barry Gutierrez questioned why government officials would think about this when the Philippines is still struggling to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on the public’s livelihoods.

“It’s amazing that even as we continue to struggle with Covid-19, lost jobs, and a shrinking economy, we have ‘leaders’ who still find ways to waste our people’s time and money,” Gutierrez said in a statement.

“Pwede bang tiyakin muna natin na magkaka bakuna ang bawat Pilipino bago mag aksaya na naman ng oras diyan sa ChaCha?” he added.

(Can we first ensure that there will be a COVID-19 vaccine for every Filipino before wasting time over Cha-cha?)

Talks to change the 1987 Constitution reignited after senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino filed last December a resolution calling for a constituent assembly (Con-ass).

The House of Representatives is also set to resume debates on Cha-cha this month.

JE