Davide: Shift to federalism ‘lethal experiment, fatal leap, plunge to death, leap to hell’

“A shift to federalism is a lethal experiment. A fatal leap. A plunge to death. A leap to hell.”

This was how former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. strongly opposed on Wednesday the proposed shift to a federal form of government amid talks of Charter change (Cha-cha).

Davide said he would take the subject up in another setting as the Senate constitutional amendments and revision of code committee hearing only tackles the proposed revision of the 1987 Constitution.

The former top magistrate of the country also earlier said that there is “absolutely no need” to amend the 1987 Constitution, as it remains to be the “best in the world” despite its “imperfections.”

“There is absolutely no need to amend or revise our Constitution,” Davide said in his opening speech at the Senate hearing, even citing that it has remained un-amended for nearly 31 years.

Davide recalled that he participated during the approval of the draft 1987 Constitution on October 12, 1986.

“When we voted at the final voting of the draft of the Constitution on 12 of October 1986, I embedded my affirmative vote with these words, modesty aside: Into this Constitution I have given my blood, tears and sweat. This is the Constitution I’m willing to die for.”

“On several occasions I reiterated this soaring pledge. Now I do so, once more in this public hearing. I will until I breathe my last. I am now 82 years old,” he added.

READ:Davide: No need to amend Constitution

Davide also pointed out that under the Constitution, any amendments to or revisions may be proposed either by Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members and through Constitutional convention (Con-con).

READ: Congress must vote separately to amend, revise 1987 Constitution – Davide

/kga