Now is the best time to discuss amendments to the 1987 Constitution via a Constitutional Convention (Concon), Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla said late Monday.
Padilla is to chair on Tuesday afternoon a Senate hearing tackling amendments to the 1987 Constitution – including a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention to revise the Charter.
“Yan ay napapanahon. Ako ay matagal nang nagsusulong na ating bisitahin ang pag-amyenda ng Constitution. At nakikita natin walang pinakamagandang moda kundi magkaroon tayo ng Concon (This is very timely. I have been pushing to revisit amendments to the Constitution, and I see no better mode than a constitutional convention),” he said.
He said there are many issues with the current Constitution, including the centralization of power in the so-called “Imperial Manila” and the call of some local government officials for longer terms so they can carry out their programs.
Another issue that needs to be tackled is the Charter’s provisions against political dynasties – which remain unenforced to this day.
“Kailangan natin maliwanagan pati po ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa pag-decentralize ng kapangyarihan ng Imperial Manila. Kailangan nang gawin yan. Isa pa diyan ang tinatawag nating laging issue yan ngayon laging pinaguusapan, political dynasty (We must be enlightened on the Charter’s provisions on decentralizing power as well as political dynasties),” he said.
“Ang daming pwedeng kailangang pagusapan na ngayon na. At yan ang Concon naniniwala tayo ito na ang panahon (There are so many issues to tackle now, and we can do this via a ConCon),” he added.
