Philconsa turns 28

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. SENATE POOL FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine Constitutional Association (Philconsa) marked Constitution Day in Manila on Tuesday

to commemorate the anniversary of the proclamation of the 1987 Constitution 28 years ago.

Philconsa chair Manuel Lazaro and president Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, the guest of honor and speaker, would be bestowed “The Fearless and Peerless Crusader’s Award” for her fight against graft and corruption.

Morales was expected “to share and discuss her views and insights on where, what and how the leaders of the nation and citizenry may assist to fortify the sublime role and relevance of the Office of the Ombudsman as enshrined in the Constitution to stamp out graft and corruption in the life of the nation and people.”

Other Philconsa officials expected to attend the event include former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, president emeritus; retired Justice Bernardo Pardo, consultant; and former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, executive vice president.

The 1987 Constitution replaced the provisional “Freedom Constitution” adopted by President Corazon Aquino after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 Edsa “People Power” Revolution.

The current Charter, which was crafted by an appointed commission, was ratified in a plebiscite held on Feb. 2, 1987, with about 17 million “yes” votes out of 22 million votes cast.