IN a show of force and unity, all 24 Senators have signed a statement opposing the ongoing attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution via the People’s Initiative (PI).
The manifesto, read by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri during the regular plenary session of the Senate on Tuesday, January 23, emphasizes the risks associated with the current PI’s proposal that the Senate and the House of Representatives vote jointly, rather than separately, as a constituent assembly on constitutional amendments.
For his part, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go underscored the significance of the Constitution as a document “of the people, by the people, for the people.”
“Kaya bilang miyembro ng Senado, o ang Mataas na Kapulungan sa dalawang kamara ng Kongreso ng Pilipinas, ipagtatanggol ko kung ano ang makakabuti para sa lahat. Babantayan natin ang anumang posibleng pagbabago sa ating Saligang Batas,” he affirmed.
He ultimately highlighted the importance of maintaining ‘checks and balances’ within the government.
“Proteksyunan natin ang Senado bilang isang mahalagang institusyon, proteksyunan natin ang ating Konstitusyon, proteksyunan natin ang interes ng mamamayang Pilipino,” he added.
As a member of the Senate, he pledged to defend what is best for the populace and to monitor any proposed changes to the Constitution closely.
“Karapatan, kapakanan at kinabukasan ng bansa ang palagi kong uunahin sa aking mga gawain sa loob at labas ng Senado,” he stated.
“Para po sa akin, kung ano lamang ang makabebenepisyo sa Pilipino ang dapat isulong dito. Kapag maamoy namin na ang makikinabang dito ay mga iilang pulitiko, hindi po ako papayag,” he stressed.
“Ang makikinabang po dapat ay ang ordinaryong Pilipino, hindi pulitiko! At interes po ng Pilipino ang dapat unahin natin parati, lalo na ang mga mahihirap,” he added.
While acknowledging the importance of every Filipino voter’s right to participate in the People’s Initiative, Go expressed his disapproval on the current form being pushed, which, he said, undermines the Senate’s ability to safeguard public interests.
“Nire-respeto natin ang karapatan ng bawat botanteng Pilipino na makilahok dito. Subalit, hindi ako pabor sa inilalakad na People’s Initiative ngayon kung saan pawang tinatanggal ang kapangyarihan ng Senado na bantayan ang interes ng bayan,” said Go.
He also strongly condemned the reported bribery or coercion being done in obtaining signatures for the People’s initiative.
“Hindi rin ako papayag kung totoo ang balita na mayroong panunuhol na nangyayari. Dapat tunay na people’s will ang manaig. Wala pong dapat kapalit o pagpilit sa pagpirma rito,” he stated.
Go also stressed the need to inform the public on how the constitutional amendment will affect their lives and the future of the nation.
“Pero bago ang lahat, mabuting suriin, pag-aralan at ilatag nang maayos sa publiko kung anong aspeto ng Konstitusyon ang nais na baguhin. Tandaan natin na lahat ng Pilipino ay apektado rito hindi lang ngayon kundi pati ang susunod na henerasyon,” Go remarked.
“Bilang mga lingkod-bayan, isaalang-alang natin parati ang interes ng taumbayan at hindi ang interes ng iilan lamang,” added the senator.
In reviewing or possibly amending any part of the constitution, he cautioned that this must be studied thoroughly while upholding the interests of the public.
“Huwag dapat itong madaliin, at pag-aralan po natin nang mabuti anumang provisions na maaaring kailangang amyendahan,” urged the senator.
Regarding the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Go raised concerns about the potential need for the COMELEC to pause voter registration to verify signatures for the People’s Initiative aimed at amending the Constitution.
“Dagdag pa rito, hindi rin dapat isantabi ang mga gawain ng Commission on Elections para lang madaliin ang People’s Initiative sa pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas,” he said.
“Para po sa akin, mas prayoridad po dapat ang voter registration, lalo na po sa mga bagong gustong magparehistro. Isang malayang demokrasya tayo at dapat pangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino na makaboto,” Go added.
