Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla has stressed that discussions on possible amendments to the 1987 Constitution should be directed toward national progress and not bickering.

Padilla made this clear after suspending Friday, Aug. 26 the hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Reforms and Revision of Codes, which he chairs.

He pointed out the hearings - including the two held on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26 - aim to gather enough information and knowledge on how the Charter could be enhanced to address the problems facing the country.

"Nag-iipon tayo ng kaalaman para sa dulo alam natin ano talaga ang pangangailangan ng ating kababayan sa ngayon (We are gathering information on how to benefit our people). Hindi po kami nagaaway-away, kung nakarinig tayo ng may tumataas ng boses, kung may may pabigla-bigla, yan dala ng emosyon dahil gusto natin ng pagbabago. Pero itong ginagawa natin ito ang kailangan (We are not fighting. If you hear people raising their voices, it is out of passion for positive change. But what we are doing is necessary)," he said.

"Kailangan natin ngayon, pagusapan natin kung paano tayo hahakbang patungo sa pagbabago(What we need is to discuss how we will ensure progress). Hindi puro pangako. Gusto natin magbago ... kailangan natin humakbang. Hindi pwedeng salita lang (What we need is to discuss how we will ensure progress. We cannot rely on promises if we want change. We must act and not just talk)," he added.

Padilla said the committee hearings aim to determine the actions needed to solve the problems of Filipinos, including joblessness, high electricity rates, and low wages.

He added both sides in the debate, including those favoring the 1987 Constitution and those favoring amendments to it, have their respective merits. This is why the committee does not favor one over the other, he said.

Padilla suspended the second hearing of his committee on Friday afternoon but said this will not be the last hearing.

‘’We are not closing the discussion on the subject, definitely not," he added.