Lack of time to address proposed charter change - Diokno

Metro Manila, Philippines - Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said time is insufficient to address the proposed charter change.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin has filed a Resolution of Both Houses to amend the Constitution in a bid to strengthen the national territory and ease economic restrictions.

Diokno said other concerns need to be prioritized instead of charter change.

“The time will come when we must revisit our charter or Constitution. The question is, ngayon ba ‘yung panahon na dapat gawin ‘yun [is now the right time]?” Diokno said in a press briefing on Wednesday, July 16.

“Sa tingin ko, mas marami tayong kailangan tugunang mga problema ng ordinaryong Pilipino bago natin pag-usapan ‘yung charter change. Nandiyan ‘yung sobrang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin at pagkain; Nandiyan ‘yung problema natin sa unemployment and underemployment; Iyong crisis sa edukasyon, access to healthcare,” he said.

[Translation: I think we have to address several problems of ordinary Filipinos before we discuss charter change such as the skyrocketing prices of commodities and food, unemployment and underemployment, education crisis, and health care access.]

Diokno also raised a concern on amending the charter: changing other provisions beyond the proposal.

“Again, that may open up a can of worms because there will be many different positions taken by different parties and legislators as far as what should or shouldn't be amended," he said.

To avoid politicking, Diokno suggested forming a panel of experts to come up with what changes the country really needs and discuss those in a number of years to have evidence-based amendments.

Part of Garbin’s proposal is amending Article I of the Constitution to reflect the rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Diokno, who is advocating a similar cause, said international law forms part of the country’s law under the Constitution.

“Whether that Article I is amended or not ay kabahagi na ng batas natin ‘yung arbitral ruling nga ng arbitral court sa The Hague,” he said.

[Translation: Whether that Article I is amended or not, the arbitral ruling of the arbitral court in The Hague is already part of our law.]

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Philippines has sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, invalidating Beijing’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea.

The lawmaker was also asked about his position on the proposed opening of the education sector to foreign entities. Diokno cited advantages and disadvantages.

“Given the state of our education today na talagang nasa [wherein we are in] crisis mode tayo, I do not think that now is the time to open up our education to other countries. But again, we’ll take it one step at a time,” he said.