The time is ripe to amend the 1987 Constitution – including through a people’s initiative – so long as this is truly from the people.
Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla stressed this as he reiterated his warning against some politicians against twisting the will of the people to suit their ambitions.
“Peoples initiative: Vox populi, vox Dei. Ang boses ng taongbayan ay boses ng Dios… Pag-usapan nang matino ang peoples initiative. Huwag gawing isyu ng politiko at ambisyon ang nag iisang kapangyarihan ng taongbayan (People’s initiative: the voice of the people is the voice of God. We must discuss people’s initiative thoroughly. Such a power of the people should not be twisted by some politicians to suit their ambitions),” said Padilla, who chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.
“Taumbayan lamang ang makapagdadala ng tunay na pagbabago ng sistema tungo sa ikauunlad ng Bayan. Ibigay natin ang ating suporta sa people’s initiative (Only the people can bring about true changes in the system, for the betterment of our country. Let us give our support to the people’s initiative),” he added.
Padilla noted that even before people’s initiative, some politicians had already raised a howl about the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).
He added what should be resolved is whether the Senate and House should vote separately or jointly, as 24 senators would be rendered irrelevant by 300-plus House members in a joint voting.
“Ito na ang panahon para maresolba ang naiwang tanong sa ating Saligang Batas patungkol sa pag-amyenda o rebisyon ng ating Constitution. Tanging taongbayan na lamang ang maaring magdesisyon (Now is the time to resolve the remaining question in our Constitution regarding amendments to the Charter. Only the people can decide),” he said.