Ex-SC justice Mendoza: This is not the time for Cha-cha

MANILA, Philippines — The threats of the Covid-19 pandemic and preparing the public to vote wisely in the 2022 polls are challenges that should first be confronted before any amendment is introduced to the 1987 Constitution, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza said.

“I do not believe this is the time for charter-change given that, number one: the threat of the pandemic and number two: the great challenge of securing in this country good government,” Mendoza said during Wednesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws.

“These are two challenges that we have to confront before we can speak of any other change to the Constitution,” he added.

In the Senate, there are several resolutions seeking to amend the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions. A panel in the House of Representatives is also currently tackling a similar measure.

“The question here is really one of priority… Whether it is to liberalize what allegedly have been considered restrictive economic provisions… no more urgent need can prevail over two challenges that I would consider the greatest,” Mendoza said.

“Aid for economic recovery can take place after this, but first we have to meet these two challenges,” he added.

The retired magistrate then pointed to a proposal to hold the ratification of the proposed amendments simultaneously with the 2022 elections, which he said would be “complicated.”

“The education of the people, for wise voting and the preparation for clean, honest and credible elections that can spell good government in this country demand the patriotism of everyone and we need to summon all our will to bring the patriotic spirit back to the people,” he also said.

Wednesday’s hearing is focusing on questions regarding the timeliness of Charter change in the middle of the pandemic and the economic downturn it caused.

“Yes, the 1987 Constitution is not perfect. While we recognize the wisdom of our eminent experts who drafted it in 1986, we should also realize that they were not prophets and were constrained by the realities at that time,” Senator Francis Pangilinan, chair of the committee, said at the beginning of the hearing.

“But many have raised this question, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is this the time to talk about Cha-cha? While we have the right intentions, could doing it now be the wrong time?” he added.

EDV