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By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Senior university officials, professors, and academics from various institutions of higher education (HEIs) expressed concern "regarding the proposed amendment of the 1987 Constitution through a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass).
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Professor for Peace, a group of academics and professionals, expressed concern over the motion for a resolution, noting the "deep implications" of the said reform.The group's campaign has received a lot of support from hundreds of professionals and professionals. Other stakeholders At the time of publication Thursday afternoon, a total of 528 people had already signed the "No to Con-Ass: Statement on Prospects for Constitutional Reforms" posted on WordPress (https: / /peaceprofessors.wordpress.com/)
"We, the undersigned academics and professionals, express our deep concern regarding the process of reviewing and possibly amending our Constitution, "said the group in the statement. The group acknowledged "the importance of discussing ways to improve governance in the country" – especially "when it comes to a possible transition to a new form." federal government ".
The group noted that "some support federalism" However, they issued a joint statement "to recognize the importance of the evidence-based debate and discussion to root out the major benefits and costs of doing business". such a reform.
Noting the possible "implications" of According to this reform, the group called for a "more participatory" process that will include "not only those who are for this reform, but also those who oppose it". The group also cited that "international political experience and evidence suggests are more effective if deliberations are concentrated at the stage of the craft, rather than being added late once that these reforms have already been ratified. "
Among those who signed Artment of Education (DepEd) Secretary and current President of De La Salle Philippines Br. Armin Luistro, FSC, the presidents of the five Ateneo schools including Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ (Ateneo de Manila Roberto Yap, SJ (Xavier Ateneo de Cagayan University), Roberto Rivera, SJ (Ateneo de Naga), Karel San Juan, SJ (Ateneo de Zamboanga) and Fr Joel Tabora, SJ (Ateneo). from Davao), President of the University of San Carlos Dionisio Miranda, SVD, and University of the Philippines Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan.
Among those who signed up, we can mention: Professor Emeritus Edilberto de Jesus, PhD, Institute of Law from the University of the Far East Dean Melencio Sta Maria, LL.M., and Ada Abad, Faculty of Law of Adamson University, among others
Acquired interest
The current environment, notes the group, "is not in favor of the reform of the constitutio n the national polls on social weather stations (SWS) and Pulse Asia in March 2018, they reiterated that "only 25% of our citizens understand our existing constitution sufficiently, while only 37% support the change towards federalism [and] 64% are »
The group also noted that" Changing the Constitution "also ranked last in the" most urgent national concerns "with only 3% of Filipinos saying that action was needed immediately.
expressing his opposition to Con-Ass, the group noted that "almost 80% of the Congress is made up of political dynasties, and empirical evidence suggests that the majority of them may be confronted with conflict. Deep interest if a new constitution "
" The risk of capture by special interests affecting our current policy is too great, "said the group . Thus, "we do not support the calls to channel this reform by a constituent assembly". They also expressed their opposition "to postpone or cancel the elections of 2019" as previously mentioned by President Pantaleon Alvarez
More than to amend the constitution, the signatories noted that There were "more urgent and immediate political challenges that our leaders must meet."
For example, they noted the "growing number of deaths." The campaign against drugs – which now includes many children and young people "as well as the" murders of political leaders and priests also raise the specter of injustice ".
They also cite the "rising prices of commodities, transportation and others" that are hurting millions of low-income households. "If these issues are not resolved, how can we unite in a credible way? around the "rule of law" and "human rights" under an amended constitution ?, the group asked:
Finally, the group recalled that a nation and common values and a shared vision "and" the glue that should unite us all for a common purpose. "Thus, the signatories recalled that if the constitution were to be amended," we must invest not only in the result, but in In the meantime, the group stated that "the views and opinions expressed by the signatories do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions to which they are affiliated" and noted that the signatories "have all signed this declaration in their favor."
individual quality The group also recalled that the subject of the amendment of the constitution is "a broad discussion that should bring together our citizens from all walks of life in civil society". Thus, it should become a "national discourse that must allay fears, clarify concerns and bring us all to common ground".
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