Albano: If the Bible can be changed, why not the Constitution?
At A Glance
- Deputy Speaker Antionio "Tonypet" Albano questioned the "sanctimonious reverence" showed by some personalities with the 1987 Constitution, given that the Bible itself can changed through Jesus Christ.
- He said the Constitution was created by "flawed" humans.
Deputy Speaker and Isabela 1st district Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano (PPAB)
If Jesus Christ can improve on God’s written word in the Bible through the New Testament, why can’t we do the same to the Constitution?
Such was the question Deputy Speaker Antionio “Tonypet” Albano raised before the personalities who maintain "sanctimonious reverence" over the 1987 Constitution, even as the House of Representatives continue to call for a so-called “Charter improvement” to amend its supposed restrictive provisions.
“This 1987 [Constitution] is merely created by humans who are flawed, let us all examine it now thoroughly and bring about the improvements in changing some of its provisions to address the ills of our society,” Albano said in a press briefing on Monday, Feb. 19.
“It is a death sentence for our country if we treat this Constitution with sanctimonious reverence like that is written by God,” he added.
The Isabela 1st district lawmaker has appealed to the Senate to finally end the bickering against members of the House and instead “come together” and kickstart healthy discussions on the economic amendments.
He stressed that both chambers of Congress should meet “as soon as possible” given that there’s not enough time left, referring to the legislative calendar.
“Give us the chance to debate this openly in many forums ASAP. Let's set a date this week, or next week, for us both chambers to come informally and informally, so as to make the people learn about what are the perils and ills that this 1987 Constitution has done to our country in the last four decades of its inception,” he noted.
Albano has floated the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) as the most practical way to amend the Constitution.
However, he is not yet closing the door to other modes, namely Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) and People’s Initiative (PI), if time permits such action.
With President Marcos’ recent “marching orders” to loosen the grip installed within the supposed restrictive economic provisions, Albano underscored the urgency of this matter.
“The message is clear, we need to amend the constitution to precisely address poverty, justice, and update the laws that will benefit the Filipino people,” the solon stressed.