CBCP’s plea to public: Spurn ‘deceptive’ Charter change efforts

FILE PHOTO: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urges the public to reject “deceptive systems” and be more discerning about Charter change initiatives. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons

MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging the public to reject “deceptive systems” and exercise caution about moves to amend the 1987 Constitution.

It said that people should be wary of “a few public servants” initiating the people’s initiative (PI) for Charter change as the effort may hide ulterior motives and not truly be for the benefit of ordinary citizens.

Gathering signatures for Charter change via PI has been marred with controversies, including bribery.

“If that is the case, it involves deception and disregard for our true and free participation in the democratic process of our country. Is that good?” said the CBCP in a January 31 statement titled “What is Good?” signed by its president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David.

“Let us not allow such deceptive systems to continue,” it said.

READ: Imee tells brother Bongbong: ‘Stand firm and put an end to PI’

According to the CBCP, the current Charter was created to “ensure the well-being of every Filipino citizen,” and signing for PI means giving lawmakers the power to change this principal law of the land.

The prelates warned that while Charter change initiators say that only economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution will be revised, some senators acknowledged the possibility of “broader changes” taking place once PI succeeds.

“Some experts have already pointed out that addressing economic concerns can be done without amending the current Constitution,” the CBCP pointed out.

READ: ‘Senate is a cemetery for Charter change,’ says Salceda

The CBCP likewise urged for vigilance even if the Commission on Elections temporarily suspended all proceedings regarding the PI.

“Our prayer is that we will not sign or agree to any petition without careful discernment, discussion, and prayer,” it noted.

This is not the first time that officials of the Catholic Church in the Philippines have expressed concern against Charter change.

The Vicar Apostolic of Taytay, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, recently campaigned against Charter change by calling on the public not to sign the circulating petitions for PI.

READ: Bishop campaigns against Cha-Cha petition

In 2018, the CBCP also explicitly voiced its reservations on revising the Charter, citing lack of transparency.

READ: CBCP urges faithful to discern ‘moral dimensions’ of Cha-cha

The prelates had repeatedly defended the 1987 Constitution and called the country’s existing main Charter “consistent with the Gospel.”