Robinhood’s cha-cha
A columnist of a national newspaper branded Senator Robinhood Padilla’s project to amend the 1987 Constitution as the burlesque of constitutional reform.
The senator wants to change the Charter’s economic provisions to allow foreign businesses to invest in a more conducive landscape.
The objective may be that simple. But the law that is sought to be amended is our fundamental law, central to who we are as Filipinos.
Many attempts in the past at changing the charter fizzled out. It seems that the framers of the fundamental law of the land have etched the constitution in the mountain range of Sierra Madre such that you cannot tinker with the law without destroying its beauty and stature.
The surviving framers of the 1987 Constitution today still cling to the belief that the charter is perfect for the Philippines. Hence, there is no need to amend it. In contrast, the US Constitution has undergone several amendments.
The economic, political, and other environmental factors that prevailed when the sovereign Filipino people ratified the 1987 Constitution have definitely changed. There is a need for the basic charter to address the structural problems that hinder the realization of our common aspiration as a people. Hence, the impetus for constitutional reform.
Unlike popular elections animated by politicians doing their antics that amuse the crowd, constitutional reform is a serious matter to deal with. The move to amend the charter must have a credible face to champion the reforms needed.
The current strategy of charter change personified by a popular actor and entertainer who is more than willing to conduct a nationwide roadshow on constitutional reform may not be a good idea.
In the Senate, Robinhood seems like a voice in the wilderness, as most senators are against it. However, in the House of Representatives, many lawmakers have thrown their hats in support of the constitutional reform initiatives led by Representative Rufus Rodriguez.
Unless our lawmakers have learned the lessons from the past failed attempts, charter change is not a game of popularity or a general election that can be manipulated by vote buying or trolls. The constitution is a roadmap for our future as a nation. In considering amending our constitution, the welfare not just of the Filipino people of today must be taken into consideration, but also the future generations.