The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives urged the public to “resoundingly reject” moves to change the Constitution as it lambasted the Marcos administration and its allies for attempts to amend key provisions set to safeguard the country’s democracy.

This came after the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments has started the formal deliberations on proposed measures for Charter Change (Cha-cha) on Thursday, Jan. 26.

“The people should reject any attempts to extend the term of the Marcos-Duterte regime. Pushing for Charter Change amid this worsening economic crisis due to government neglect and incompetence is simply absurd and ridiculous,” the Makabayan bloc said in a statement.

“Once again, we call on the people to resoundingly reject this push for Charter change,” the group added.

The bloc, composed of opposition lawmakers France Castro of ACT Teachers Party-list, Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Party-list, and Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women’s Party, also stressed the “supreme irony” of amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. when it “was born out the anti-dictatorship struggle that ousted the Marcoses from power in 1986.”

“If the Marcos administration makes this measure a priority, it only proves that Marcos Jr. is president for himself, his family, and his cohorts and not for the people,” Makabayan furthered.

Cha-cha would also open the “floodgates” for removing or amending key provisions in the Constitution that aim to safeguard the country’s democracy from threats of dictatorship and plunder, the group added.

The Committee on Constitutional Amendments has tackled House Bill (HB) No. 6698, or the proposal to constitute a constitutional convention to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution, defining qualifications for its delegates appropriating thereof by Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., among other measures that seek to change the current Charter.

READ: House panel to begin Cha-cha deliberations Thursday

The Makabayan bloc explained that the proposed measures would amend the Constitutional ban on reelection for president, allowing both the president and vice president to have two five-year terms.

Members of the House of Representatives and elected local officials, except barangay officials, would also be allowed two five-year terms under the measure.

The group warned that the House panel would also discuss the possibility of removing the constitutional prohibition on foreign ownership of land and restrictions on foreign investment in the economy, education, and mass media.

“Constitutional bodies that safeguard citizens against human rights violations and corruption like that of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Commission on Audit (COA) and the Ombudsman may also be abolished with the new Cha-cha,” it lamented.

The bloc stressed that the “landslide” of win of both Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte is not a go-signal from the people to push for a “self-serving measure.”