Philippines
National
Pulse Asia survey results affirms no urgent need to rush Cha-Cha, senators say
Pulse Asia survey results affirms no urgent need to rush Cha-Cha, senators say
The results of the recent Pulse Asia survey that show a huge number of respondents thumbing down the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution is enough reason not to expedite the passage of any pending Charter change proposal, senators said.
“This survey is a true eye-opener at kaya nga pinag-aaralan namin ng mabuti ito at hindi minamadali (and that’s why we are studying this very carefully and not rushing it),” Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said.
“That’s why, the Senate will still conduct hearings in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to truly see the Pulse of the people when it comes to amending the Constitution and what amendments should be done if ever,” Zubiri stressed.
The Senate subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes, chaired by Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara is currently deliberating on the merits of Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 which seeks to amend the existing economic provisions in the Constitution.
Accordingly, the Senate leader said that the Pulse Asia survey showing that 88 percent of the respondents agreeing the Constitution should not be touched, shows how the People’s Initiative (PI) signature campaign was such “an unpopular move.”
“This survey shows it is an unpopular move with almost 9 out of 10 Filipinos opposed to changing the Charter,” the Senate chief said.
“These are things to be weighed in and carefully put into consideration by the subcommittee and the Senate as a whole,” he pointed out.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva shared the Senate leader’s observation that the Pulse Asia survey results showed the people’s objection to the People’s Initiative.
“Our bosses have spoken. Klarong klaro po na peke ang isinulong nilang P.I. (People’s Initiative) at hindi po Charter Change ang kailangan ngayon ng taumbayan mula sa gobyerno (It is very, very clear that the People’s Initiative they were pursuing was fake and that the people do not need Charter change from the government at this point),” Villanueva said in a separate statement.
“With 88% of Filipinos saying that they are against Cha-Cha, this is a clear indication that there is no need to fast-track the hearings of the subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, as there is no urgency in amending the Constitution,” he stressed.