MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday vowed to bring Senate Charter change (Cha-cha) hearings to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, following the publication of a survey showing most Filipinos don’t think now is the right time to amend the 1987 Constitution.
“This survey is a true eye opener at kaya nga pinagaaralan namin ng mabuti ito at hindi minamadali,” Zubiri told reporters in a Viber message.
(That’s why we are studying this thoroughly and we’re not rushing it.)
“That’s why the Senate will still conduct hearings in Luzon, Visayas [and] Mindanao to truly see the Pulse of the people when it comes to amending the Constitution and what amendments should be done if ever,” he emphasized.
The Pulse Asia survey that Zubiri was reacting to showed that only eight percent of adult Filipino respondents believe the Constitution should be amended, while an overwhelming 88 percent said it should not be touched.
Four percent of respondents were undecided.
The Senate is currently leading talks on economic Cha-cha.
This was made pursuant to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for the upper chamber to review the proposals to amend certain provisions of the Constitution.
Marcos said he saw the need to ease restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution in order to allow more foreign direct investment in the country.