SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his reservations about rushing into the proposed amendments to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of all possible impacts that would affect the future of every Filipino.
Go, when asked about his support for Charter Change under the condition set by Former President Rodrigo Duterte that it should not include any term extension for politicians, highlighted his long-standing position that any amendment should primarily benefit the underprivileged Filipinos, not the politicians.
“If ever we will amend the Constitution, dapat po ‘yung mga mahihirap ang makikinabang, ‘yung mga Pilipino, ‘yung mahihirap nating kababayan, hindi po pulitiko,” Go stated in an ambush interview on Thursday, February 29, during the turnover of a multipurpose building in Barangay Sasa, Davao City.
Go’s apprehension about potential hidden agendas, such as the extension of term limits for politicians, reinforces his appeal to his government colleagues to always prioritize the welfare of impoverished Filipinos over personal or political interests.
“‘Pag mayroon na pong hidden agenda, nandiyan na po ‘yung extension of term limit, ay ibang usapan na po ‘yun. I’m appealing naman po sa mga kasamahan ko sa gobyerno, unahin naman natin ‘yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap. Huwag naman po ang sariling interest,” urged Go.
He states that politicians must not be the ones benefiting from such constitutional changes, arguing that the advantages should accrue to the less fortunate segments of the population.
“Ayoko po ang politiko ang makikinabang. Dapat ang makinabang dito ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan kung sakasakali man pong i-amend ang Constitution,” Go asserted.
The senator also reminded fellow lawmakers from both Houses of Congress to uphold democratic processes in tackling particularly economic provisions of the constitution that may be amended.
“Marami pang dapat pag-usapan. Huwag nating madaliin ito. Hindi po ito basta-bastang usapan lang na bubuksan mo at isasara mo. Ang nakataya dito ang kinabukasan po ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
He also questioned the urgency with which some are approaching the amendment process, suggesting that more attention should be given to the effective implementation and execution of existing laws.
“With the existing laws, pwede naman nating gamitin ito sa pagpapalakas ng ekonomiya. Ang importante lang dito, proper implementation ng nasa executive. Proper execution lang po muna. Huwag tayong magmadali. Ba’t ba parang masyadong nagmamadali (sa pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas)?,” asked Go.
The senator expressed his commitment to prioritizing the welfare of the nation’s underprivileged populations, stating that any vote concerning constitutional amendments would be guided by conscience and the interests and true will of the people.
“Kami naman po sa Senado, ako po, kung saka-sakaling aabot sa botohan, uunahin ko siyempre ‘yung kapakanan ng mga mahihirap. Boboto po ako according to my conscience. Dapat ‘yung mga mahihirap ang makikinabang kung mayroon mang i-amend doon sa mga provisions sa ating Constitution. Kung sakali,” said Go.
“Pero personally, ayoko pong nagmamadali tayo. Ibang usapan po ito. It’s not an ordinary law na dapat nating ipasa, galawin at tapusin agad,” he added.
“Gusto ko munang pakinggan (ang diskusyon ukol sa proposed amendments to the constitution). Gusto ko munang malaman kung ang makikinabang ba rito ‘yung mga kababayan nating mahihirap talaga. Kung sila ang makikinabang saka po ako sakaling boboto, pabor, or hindi,” he concluded.
Discussions on possible amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution are currently ongoing in Congress. This is marked by the filing of Resolutions of Both Houses (RBH) Nos. 6 and 7 which seek to amend the Constitution focused solely on economic provisions.
However, this move has prompted caution from some quarters who warn of potential unintended consequences. Many underscore the importance of proceeding carefully, highlighting that the country has achieved significant economic liberalization without altering the Constitution.
