Editorial: Debate on Cha-cha: Where will it lead us?

Insights and perspectives have been aired by luminaries and experts during the first Senate hearing last January 17 on the proposed Charter change to shifting to federalism from the present unitary form of government.

Without mentioning the personalities, among the highlights or inputs in the discussion (as gathered from the ANC) were:

        * 1987 Constitution may be imperfect but it is the best in the world.

        * Shifting to federalism is a lethal experiment.

        * Good provisions (1987 Constitution) should not be revised.

        * 1987 Constitution expanded the democratic space… but then conditions have changed since it was enacted.

        * Many provisions have not been implemented, some still need enabling laws.

        * Local Government Code can be amended to distribute power and wealth equitably.

        * Strengthen the institutions first before changing the Constitution.

        * PH is a failing democracy because of unitary government.

        * Regional autonomy could be a model for an evolving federalism.

        * We need young and best leaders with the goal of good governance.

        * Poor will be poorer under a federal government.

But what are the pulse of the people? How many of our populace know the difference between a federal and unitary state which are both democratic forms of government? How many of the households have a copy of the Constitution where the people are the framers when at the start and end of the Preamble it states: “We the sovereign Filipino people… do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.”?

We need a well educated and intelligible populace in discerning the provisions of the Constitution. The academe may be privy with the subject as discussed in Political Science course but many are not aware of the supreme law of the land.

Do we need Charter change? The answer to the question is debatable. How ready are the many to discuss the matter? Unitary or Federal?  Where will this lead us politically and economically?

Will debate on Cha-cha centered only on the form of government or will this open to other amendments in the Constitution? Dear citizens, we ask your sensitivity on the matter(s).