Is There a Need to Amend the Constitution?

By Robert T. Rivera
Former Deputy Press Secretary

"If this will be the argument of those who believe that there is no more 

need to amend the Constitution then, there seems to be no stable long term 

strategic plan and solutions to the problems 

besetting our country especially in the provinces . . . "

"X  x  x  while many are saying that the Constitution must be amended because of the uneven distribution of wealth and power between the national government and its constituents, others are arguing that there is no more need to amend the constitution.  The Constitution already contains sufficient provisions which grant autonomy to local government units  (LGUs), including the power to raise revenues.  x  x   x."

"True as it may seem. However, it appears that this is not the reality.  Whoever belongs to the political party aligned with the Executive has the power of the purse.  While it may be true that each local political unit has the municipal, provincial and regional development councils, allocation of funds from the national government where to source the money to finance the latter's development plans is still dependent on the politicians; and, finally to the Executive of the central government.  X x x.

"If this will be the argument of those who believe that there is no more need to amend the Constitution then, there seems to be no stable long term strategic plan and solutions to the problems besetting our country especially in the provinces. In reality, the central government cannot even solve the traffic problem in Metro Manila alone. We shall all be dependent to the leadership of whoever sits in Malacanang.

"Whenever there is a change in administration - membership in political party changes, government priority changes, priority over fund allocation changes, most often than not, even people's behavior changes.  Continuity of priority programs and projects already started by local government units under the previous administration get stalled.

"On January 17, 2018, by a vote of 293 of those present, the Congress of the Philippines approved concurrent Resolution No. 9 "to constitute the Congress of the Philippines as a constituent assembly for the purpose of proposing amendments to, or revision of, the 1987 Constitution."  In our country's history our Constitution was amended only during extra ordinary times, i.e., during Martial Law (the 1973 Constitution); and, during the People Power Revolution, (the 1987 Constitution).  The Congress of the Philippines as a constituent assembly already spoken.  This is a rare opportunity for the Filipinos to participate in the revision of the 1987 Constitution, to exercise their freedom to express their desire for self-governance, peacefully." 

Read the article in full at Pilipinas Ngayon Na Business and Lifestyle Magazine. June 2018 Issue. Volume XII.  In the said article, Robert T. Rivera  discussed in full the history of our Constitution and the events that unfold leading to its revision and amendments.