Uphold democracy, sovereignty, social justice and human rights!
No to Charter change!
WE, individuals, groups and institutions of freedom-loving Filipinos;
RECOGNIZING that the Constitution, while not perfect nor unchangeable, is the result of our people’s historic struggle against dictatorship and for freedom, democracy, social justice and human rights;
ALARMED that the current efforts to revise the Constitution are inimical to our cherished freedoms and aspirations, among them proposed amendments that:
- are patently self-serving for incumbent officials, such as postponing the 2019 elections, extending their terms of office, and enshrining the discredited pork barrel system in the Constitution itself;
- break up the country into regional states that will add a new layer of bureaucracy, red tape and political largesse while expanding the powers of entrenched political dynasties and warlords;
- establish a dictatorship, with immense powers given to the President during the transition period;
- delete or water down progressive and protectionist provisions on the national economy and patrimony, including limits on foreign ownership of land, public utilities, media and educational institutions, and preference for Filipino enterprises and professionals;
- delete or water down provisions on social justice and human rights, particularly the right to security of tenure and a living wage, agrarian reform, and urban land reform and housing;
- limit the exercise of the people’s sovereign will to suffrage, and the freedom of the press, free expression, assembly and redress of grievance to its “responsible” exercise;
- delete or water down provisions prohibiting foreign bases, troops, facilities as well as nuclear weapons;
CERTAIN that given our feudalistic political and social structures, federalism can only increase the number and dominance of political dynasties, intensify warlordism, worsen graft and corruption, divide our nation and lead our people to greater oppression and impoverishment;
AFFIRMING that the legitimate issue of the uneven distribution of wealth and power between the national and local governments can be effectively addressed without resorting to federalism and Charter change;
OUTRAGED that Congress has opted for a constituent assembly that leaves out citizens in the crafting of a new charter on which rests the essential aspects of Philippine democracy;
AWARE that in the past, such self-serving, undemocratic and unpatriotic plots at Charter change were defeated by widespread public outcry manifested in sustained protests and timely legal actions;
HEREBY RESOLVE to oppose – utilizing all democratic means possible – the current efforts to amend or revise the Constitution;
WE LIKEWISE RESOLVE to form ourselves into a Coalition with a nationwide constituency in order to consolidate and intensify our efforts to oppose Charter change at this time;
FINALLY, WE CALL ON OUR PEOPLE to remain vigilant and be involved, to participate in various activities including mass actions against Cha-cha and dictatorship, and stand for democracy, sovereignty, social justice and human rights.#
*Adopted during the Anti-Cha-cha Assembly and launching of the Coalition on February 13, 2018 at the UP College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City.
Initial signatories:
Former Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
Former Justice Vicente V. Mendoza
Former Senator Rene A.V. Saguisag
Former COMELEC Chair Christian S. Monsod
Bishop Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Auxilliary Bishop of Manila
Bishop Deogracias S. Iñiguez, Jr., D.D.
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
Former House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Tañada III
Former House Deputy Minority Leader Neri J. Colmenares
Bishop Alger Loyao, IFI Diocese of Cebu
Bishop Alexander Wandag, ECP Diocese of Santiago
Bishop Elorde Sambat, North Luzon Jurisction, UCCP
Most Revd. Godofredo J. David, IFI Diocese of Rizal-Pampanga
Bishop Joel E. Tenedero, South Luzon Jurisdiction
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, Diocese of San Carlos City
Bishop Jaime Moriles, East Visayas Jurisdiction, UCCP
Bishop Solito K. Toquero, Union Theological Seminary, Palapala, Dasmarinas Cavite
Bishop Emergencio Padillo, Middle Luzon Jurisdiction
Fr. Wilfredo Dulay, mdj (Convener, Religious Discernment Group)
Sr. Fidelis Abad Santos, MMS
Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, C.M. (St. Vincent School of Theology)
Fr. Rico Palaca Ponce, O. Carm. (Executive Director, Institute of Spirituality in Asia-ISA)
Msgr. Meliton B. Oso (Social Action Director, Archdiocese of Jaro)
Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC
Fr. Harry Adler, SS.CC
Fr. Paul Medina, O.Carm
Sr. Sonia Aldeguer, RSCJ
Sr. Clars Dolencio, ICM
Sr. Fely Solatorio,msm Tandag, Surigao del Sur
Sr. Nenita Tapia, MM
Fr. Ernie Larida – Diocese of Bacolod
