C4CC: Change the Form of Government, Not the Economic Provisions of the Constitution

It is time to review and change the Constitution, but the change should focus on ushering in a federal form of government, not its national economy and patrimony provisions – this was made clear by the Coalition for a Citizens’ Constitution (C4CC) yesterday.

C4CC is a network of non-government organizations and NGO networks with members in 19 provinces that was established in 2004 to oppose the various moves in Congress to revise the constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass). Instead, the group has been batting for a more democratic and participatory Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) and for changes to further democratization such as a federal form of government to give way to more decentralized governance.

“We welcome the consensus now for a Con-Con among the various proponents of Charter Change, but we think that focusing on the economic provisions would be a mistake”, Cezar Belangel, C4CC Coordinator said.

C4CC said that the National Economy and Patrimony provision for 60-40% ownership in strategic industries should be maintained and that the control and benefit provisions in the Constitution should even be made stronger to make asset reform in the local industries and other sectors, such as agrarian and fisheries, more effective and sustainable.

C4CC has been calling for asymmetric federalism that gives more autonomy to regions where asset reforms and good governance have been substantially achieved.

C4CC also expressed its full support for former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and the bishops who have stated that now is the right time to start widespread and in-depth consultations among the public. “The different basic sectors and marginalized groups should be represented and their voices heard through public consultations now and when a Con-Con is convened”, Belangel said.  “We support Chief Justice Puno’s proposals to de-politicize the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), ensure the independence of the judiciary and to have a more broadly representative Congress”, he added.  For C4CC, this would mean reforming the party-list system and having more party list representatives in Congress and other changes. -0-
 
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Rowel Candelaria
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