Militants from various groups continued its opposition against Charter change through a protest rally held at the House of Representatives Wednesday.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Anakbayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Anakpawis were among the organizations protesting the latest push by lawmakers for Cha-cha.
Protesters held placards with a message that the government should focus on the coronavirus vaccination for Filipinos instead of changing the Constitution.
“The economic and political repercussion of Charter change will be irreversible,” KMP chair Danilo Ramos said.
He also noted the constitutional amendments will only “aggravate” the situation of Filipinos who are still reeling from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic since it will benefit foreign businesses.
The groups staged a protest outside the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City coinciding with the resumption of House hearings that will tackle Resolution of Both Houses No. 2.
House leaders claimed that only the economic provisions would be the subject of the latest efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Fisherfolk group Pamalakaya warned against the renewed move to push for Cha-cha, which it said would be geared towards allowing China to further intrude into the country’s maritime territory and sovereignty.
“Chinese aggressors are already plundering our seas even the dangerous amendments in the Constitution are not yet in place. What more if the remaining and only constitutional defense of our sovereignty would be eliminated,” Pamalakaya chair Fernando Hicap said.
“Global companies will take away everything that we have now and all that we continue to fight for. We will lose our national patrimony, sovereignty, and identity,” Ramos said.