CEBU CITY (March 1, 2024) – Lawyers urged those pushing for People’s Initiative (PI) as a mode to change the Constitution not to deceive the public through “repugnant” tactics.
Lawyer Mikel F. Rama, the son of Mayor Mike Rama, said lawmakers should not resort to distasteful tactics to have their way.
He said he was surprised to find out that an unidentified group is mobilizing a signature campaign in Cebu City for the PI drive.
He said he was able to get a copy of the petition and was surprised by what was written in it.
“When I saw the form of the petition, na-shock ko. Because the thing that they want to change (in the Constitution) and the manner they want to change it is repugnant,” the younger Rama said in the first episode of Legally Yours program over Sugboanon Channel on Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Rama said the petition seeks to answer the question whether the public would agree to amend Article 17, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution by allowing all members of Congress to jointly vote on proposed constitutional amendments.
Only three methods can be done to amend the Constitution: Through a PI, Constitutional Assembly, and Constitutional Convention.
Mikel Rama said the petition has so far secured 14,000 signatures in Cebu City alone based on information he received.
He feared that some Cebuanos were compelled to sign the petition without knowing what they have gone into.
“From what I know, gipapirma ra sila in exchange for ayuda, kwarta, without even knowing unsa ilang basahon,” he added.
Implications
Lawyer Pfizer Bangis, one of Atty. Rama’s legal partners, said the petitioners’ proposal could create an imbalance of power in Congress.
“If mapasar (ni siya), kuyaw ni siya nga wordings of the law. Kay currently, ang atoang Congress is composed of two: Senate and the House. Eventually kung ma-push through ni siya, ma-overpower ang Senate nato,” Bangis said.
The Senate currently has 24 members while the House has 350 members.
“Most likely, ma-overpower ang Senate and eventually, if any gusto nila mahitabo sa Constitution, they can do it on their own will,” he said.
When I saw the form of the petition, na-shock ko. Because the thing that they want to change (in the Constitution) and the manner they want to change it is repugnant
Atty. Mikel F. Rama
“Once this is approved, mabuhat na nila tanan kung unsay ilang gusto mahitabo. They can change the Bill of Rights, they can change the form of government, even extend their terms,” he added.
Lawyer Virgil Edward Quiapo, also one of Rama’s law partners, feared that the provision could remove some of the check and balances placed in Congress.
Cha-Cha ‘necessary’
The younger Rama said he agrees to the changing some provisions of the Constitution for it to adapt to the times.
He said the 1987 Constitution is in need of review and amendments as it was crafted just after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.
“The 1987 Constitution is far from perfect. You have to remember the circumstance of how it was drafted,” he added.
Atty. Rama said he was hoping that lawmakers would push for certain amendments that would help protect ordinary citizens such as improving the living wage and better healthcare.
“Daghan kaayo ta’g discussion on Charter Change, pero ang panginahanglan sa tawo, pareha lang gihapon,” he noted.
“Bisa’g unsaon og kudkod sa tawo sa pagpanarbaho, kuwang gihapon ilang sweldo o’ ang mauli nila sa ilang pamilya,” he added.
But the younger Rama admitted that he disagrees to the way that the public is being fed wrong information by those pushing for Cha-Cha.
“Because this is not a change in national patrimony, or a change on economic provisions, it is a change in who has the power to change the fundamental law of the land. It is a change in power,” he added.
His father, Mayor Rama, who also openly opposed the ongoing PI drive, consistently stood by his stance to pursue constitutional change, only by electing delegates to a constitutional convention.
Focus on what the public wants
The younger Rama said the public should fully be educated on what provisions in the Constitution the lawmakers would want to change.
He also hopes that lawmakers would also get insights from the basic levels of society, such as the barangays and the local government units.
“What do our crafters (of the law) have to know about the people before they do these changes?” Atty. Rama said.
He also urged the public to reflect on what changes do they want for the country and channel it to their elected officials.
“Ang Batakang Balaod, dili man na hinimo sa mga abogado, congressman, ug mga senador. Ang Batakang Balaod gikan na sa kasingkasing sa katawhan,” he added. | PPRMN / jkv
Cebu City • News & Information 