Sen. Robinhood Padilla (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The support of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) members for Charter change (Cha-cha) should be nothing short of “automatic,” Senator Robin Padilla said on Friday.
In a virtual press briefing, Padilla, chairperson of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes, was asked if he would ask for the support of fellow PDP-Laban members to push for amending the 1987 Constitution.
“Hindi pa po ako dumadating sa punto na ‘yun. Pero para po sa akin kasi, bilang bise presidente ng PDP-Laban at ‘yun ang tinatayuan ko at ‘yun ang adhikain ng partido, hindi ko kailangan hilingin ang suporta mo. Dapat automatic ang suporta mo,” he answered.
(I have not reached that point. But for me, as PDP-Laban vice president, and that is what the party stands for, I do not need to ask for your support. Your support should be automatic.)
“Kaya may partido, ibig sabihin kayo ay nagkakaisa. Kung ako mismo sa partido kailangan pa ‘kong manligaw ng kapartido ko, malabo yata ‘yun. Siguro ang akin pong opinyon, ang kapartido ko dapat lagi kong kasama lalo na sa usapin ng Charter change,” he went on.
(You are at a party because all of you are united. If I need to court my party mates, that is unlikely. In my opinion, my party mates should always be on my side, especially regarding Charter change.)
The neophyte senator said Cha-cha is not a new discussion among PDP-Laban members as they push for federalism.
“Ang PDP-Laban, ang adhikain po nito talaga ay baguhin ang Constitution at gawing federal ang Pilipinas,” said Padilla.
(PDP-Laban aims to change the Constitution and make the Philippines a federal country.)
Padilla is pushing for easing the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution.
His panel wrapped up its deliberations on Cha-cha and is set to meet with members of the House of Representatives to discuss the issue further.