MANY Filipinos have shown disinterest in constitutional change, as per the results of the OCTA Research survey. Charter Change ranks last among the issues addressed by Filipinos in the government.
But, are our fellow citizens up to date with the current issue on Charter change?
“No, no. Nothing, I’m not familiar with it,” Gab Cornel, Marine Transportation Student said.
That’s a clear response from Gab, a college student, on the current issue of Charter change, also known as Cha-cha in the Philippines.
The Cha-cha issue resurfaces due to the ongoing people’s initiative, which made headlines in early 2024.
This is the final option to amend the 1987 Constitution.
People’s initiative is a signature campaign collecting public opinions on whether to change the constitution.
The goal of PI is to ease economic restrictions in the constitution to attract more foreign investors into the country.
“It’s not an easy process because, first, the process of amending our constitution, the initial process is a proposal. You have to propose. The proposal is what they call 3% of every legislative district and 12% of the total registered voters. That’s the proposal. After the proposal, if they get the proposal, Comelec will issue a certification that the votes for the proposal are enough. 12% of the total and 3% in every legislative district. Once that’s complete, there will be a plebiscite. The entire Philippines will vote. A majority of the total votes cast is needed,” Atty. Mark Tolentino, Law Expert stated.
But based on our interviews, most of our fellow Filipinos are unaware of the issue.
Is this really the number one problem that the government should address?
According to the response of the mass survey by OCTA Research conducted from December 10 to 14, 2023, Charter change is third from the bottom in terms of priorities for Filipinos.
Only 1% of those surveyed say it’s necessary.
Second to the least priority is the reduction in electricity rates at 0.1%.
And last is the issue of illegal drugs at 0.02%.
The number one issue in the survey is controlling the rapid increase in the prices of basic goods and services or inflation at 73%.
Second on the list of concerns for survey participants is access to affordable food at 45%.
The third issue that Filipinos want the government to pay attention to is the creation of more jobs with a 36% score in the survey.
Fourth is the increase in wages for workers, earning a 34% survey score.
The Philippine government’s response to poverty also makes it to the top 5, focusing on 32% of survey participants.
Included in the wish list are reducing tax prices, protecting OFWs, environmental protection, and more.
“It’s not included in the priorities of our fellow citizens. It’s far from their concerns, MJ. The closest to the hearts of our fellow citizens are the prices of goods, jobs, and wages,” Dr. Michael Batu, Filipino Economist in Canada said.
