Representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT Teachers), and Raoul Manuel during the State of the Nation Address. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the House’ Makabayan bloc have urged Filipinos to remember the spirit of the Edsa People Power Revolution amid calls to amend the 1987 Constitution — the by-product of the peaceful movement that ousted the current President’s father.
In separate privilege speeches during Monday’s session, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel spoke against proposals to change economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution.
According to Brosas, Filipinos can learn a lot from the Edsa Revolution especially regarding today’s issues.
“Mr. Speaker, we cannot deny the worsening poverty in the country: high prices of goods, high cost of public utilities, and low salaries. Charter change cannot solve this, and the people know it that’s why they are opposing it,” Brosas said.
“This year, we commemorate the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. We can learn a lot from this integral part of our history, and like our fellow Filipinos’ brave stand during the revolution, we would also stand together in different parts of the country this February 25 to oppose the proposed Charter Change and the Marcos Jr. administration’s sale of our sovereignty and freedom,” she added.
Castro said that while the 1987 Constitution is admittedly imperfect, it was created with reinstating checks and balances in mind — which she believes is an important part in having a progressive government.
“While our Constitution is not perfect, it worded a strengthened Bill of Rights, restored checks and balances between different branches of government, mandated that sovereignty resides in the people, and contains progressive provisions and safeguards on implementing martial law, prohibits foreign military bases, and other provisions promoting the rights and welfare of the people,” Castro said in Filipino.
“We should think of this especially in the context of attempts to change the Constitution, from the time of former president Fidel Ramos up to the past administration. Such attempts were met with the same power that created the 1987 Constitution — the power of the people, who are on guard over attempts to amend and revise term limits, do away with Filipinos’ rights to our own resources, and others,” she added.
The Edsa People Power ended the over two-decades regime of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Currently, the House leadership is supporting moves to amend the 1987 Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions, saying that foreign investors are discouraged from putting in money to the Philippines because of ownership limits.
Earlier, ranking legislators filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7, a call to amend the Constitution which mimics the Senate’s RBH No. 6 — to minimize discussions between the two chambers.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said this means the House of Representatives now proposes the same economic provision amendments by way of a constituent assembly, which would likely result in separate voting for the two chambers.
Prior to RBH No. 7, the Senate and the House were at odds due to senators’ fears that the House is out to abolish the Senate by way of a People’s Initiative.
READ: House leaders say there’s no plan to abolish Senate, now pushing RBH 6
Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Romualdez and other House leaders have denied being behind PI, adding that they do not intend to abolish the Senate.