The Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) firmly opposes the move to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution at this time when Filipinos are facing one of the most challenging health and economic crises in recent history. Charter Change (Cha-Cha) now only exacerbates the abject conditions of the majority of our people and will not make us safer and healthier. Many pressing issues relative to COVID 19 have not been effectively and efficiently addressed after a year of grappling with the pandemic, such as the access of vaccines and their roll-out to targeted recipients. This should be addressed first and needs the attention of every Filipino citizen and public servant alike.

Many CSOs are deeply disturbed by the possible railroaded legislative process in pushing Cha-Cha by convening legislators into Constituent Assembly (ConAss). We reiterate our position that any amendment or change in the fundamental law of the land should be undertaken through an objective, deliberate, and participatory process with the citizens; particularly to protect the interest of the basic sectors and marginalized groups.

Recent media releases reveal that certain senators and the leadership of the House of Representatives are pushing to amend the economic and political provisions of the Constitution, claiming that the changes will benefit the Philippines and will ease the crippling effect of the pandemic on the Philippine economy. Revising the Constitution to allow foreigners to own land and property in the Philippines requires careful deliberation from all stakeholders especially the local enterprises who will be affected by this paradigm shift. Before the pandemic hit, local enterprises did not stand a chance in the global playing field. Our local enterprises enjoy the protection of the economic provisions we have today, and economic growth does not necessarily require Cha-Cha.

Cha-Cha proponents also want to amend the party-list system to “protect” it from progressive groups that have been tagged as “groups calling for the fall of government”. Party-list representatives are supposed to represent the “marginalized and underrepresented” sectors of society in Congress. CODE-NGO believes that these sectors must involve themselves in any talk of Cha-cha. The proponents arbitrarily present the flawed party-list system as a reason for Cha-cha, and the way the proponents want to amend the party-list system is against our principle of participation in governance.

Cha-cha now will certainly not address the emerging concerns that we all need to focus on at this moment – How can we attain immunity from the COVID-19 virus? How will the members of marginalized and vulnerable sectors rise above from the effects of the lockdown and loss of income?

The Congress has an oversight role in the implementation of public programs and spending. We call on the members of the House of Representatives and Senate to completely abandon its plans for Cha-Cha, and to focus on urgently and meaningfully addressing the basic needs of the Filipino people in this time of pandemic. We call on them to oversee the implementation of the economic recovery plan, mass testing, and safe vaccination of Filipinos, starting with the medical frontliners and those most vulnerable to the virus. The new strain of COVID-19 and threat of a “second wave” demand urgency in the vaccination roadmap implementation. Again, to our honorable members of Congress – please do not waste time in pushing for Cha-cha.

We call on CSOs and the public to oppose Cha-cha now and continue to be more vigilant at this time. We further call on our partners in government to give priority to ensuring the safe and inclusive vaccination of the Filipino people today!

No to Cha-Cha! Yes to Effective Health System and Economic Recovery!