Mayors say Charter change row only worsened people’s burdens
A group of mayors says the spat arising from Charter change efforts only worsened the people’s burdens. The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) on Friday, February 2, 2024, urged fellow public servants to instead focus their energy on addressing inflation, low income, and corruption in government. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A group of local chief executives on Friday said the spat arising from efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution only worsened people’s burdens and urged fellow public servants to instead focus their energy on addressing inflation, low income, and corruption in government.
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) also expressed concern that the ongoing barbs on Charter change may just result in disunity among Filipinos.
M4GG is an organization of 159 local chief executives, who committed themselves to fighting corruption and promoting innovative, transparent, and accountable governance.
“Ang isyung ito ay dumadagdag lamang sa napakaraming problema ng ating bayan ngayon. Mataas pa rin ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Hindi pa rin nakakabuhay ang sahod ng mga manggagawa. Laganap pa rin ang korapsyon,” M4GG said in a statement, which release coincides with the 37th anniversary of the ratification of the 1987 Constitution. .
(This issue only adds to the many problems of our country today. Commodity prices are still high. Workers’ wages are still not living wages. Corruption is still rampant.)
READ: Senate, House clash over people’s initiative for Charter change
“Sa ating mga kapwa lingkod-bayan: unahin natin ang kapakanan ng mamamayang Pilipino at huwag na tayo dumagdag sa mga problema nila,” it added.
(To our fellow public servants: let’s prioritize the welfare of the Filipino people and not add to their problems.)
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M4GG likewise called on concerned individuals and organizations to stop “bribing” citizens in exchange for support to their initiatives.
“Tumalima din tayo sa tamang proseso at huwag natin suhulan ang ating mga kababayan para lang suportahan ang alinmang pagkilos. Respetuhin natin ang kakayahan ng mga Pilipino na mag-isip at magdesisyon,” it said.
(Let’s also follow the right process and let’s not bribe our countrymen just to support any action. Let’s respect the ability of Filipinos to think and make decisions.)
