Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Catholic Church leaders on Wednesday called on Filipinos to protect democracy, human rights, the sanctity of the family and prevent the return of dictatorship in any amendment to the Constitution being pushed by President Duterte.
鈥淟et us continue to maintain the safeguards against dictatorial martial rule that our present Constitution contains,鈥� the Catholic Bishops鈥� Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said in a pastoral letter following its weekend assembly.
The CBCP president, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, signed the pastoral letter on behalf of the bishops.
The President has said that the martial law provisions in the 1987 Constitution were an 鈥渁lmost reckless reaction鈥� to the dictatorial rule of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.
Mr. Duterte said a flaw in the constitutional provisions on martial law could lead to a major conflict between two major branches of government if Congress supports martial rule but the Supreme Court rules against it.
Consistent with Gospel
The CBCP urged Filipinos to get involved in Charter change 鈥渟o that all its provisions will be consistent with the Gospel, and the gains of the 1987 Constitution will be preserved and enhanced, instead of being removed.鈥�
鈥淭he process of amending the Constitution should not be left to politicians or to those who either by election or appointment will be tasked to draft the amendments,鈥� the bishops said.
鈥淭he Constitution is the single most important document of our country,鈥� they added.
The pro-Duterte 鈥渟upermajority鈥� in the House of Representatives plans to convert Congress into a constituent assembly, arguing that this will save money that would be spent by the government for the election of members of a constitutional convention.
The major revision being proposed by the Duterte administration is the change in the form of government from the current unitary to a federal system. Other proposals include changes in the economic provisions purportedly to encourage more foreign investments.
Federalism
The bishops said the clamor for federalism 鈥渟tems from the dissatisfaction of many people with the lack of equitable distribution of benefits, power and financial resources in our present unitary system.鈥�
鈥淒o we need to change from our present unitary system to a federal system of government? Or will it suffice to introduce amendments and laws which will make the present unitary system responsive to the needs of disadvantaged regions?鈥� the bishops asked.
The CBCP said it was not endorsing or disapproving moves to amend the Constitution but to offer only pastoral guidance.
The bishops said the Bill of Rights, particularly the right to life, liberty and property and equal protection of the laws should be preserved. Filipinos also should ensure that the constitutional provisions that uphold human rights and the sanctity of the family as a basic institution are kept intact.
鈥淲e must be vigilant and watch over, and even suggest ideas and formulations that enter into the Constitution. We have to make sure that the resulting document embodies 鈥榦ur rights, our ideals, our aspirations, and our dreams,鈥欌�� the CBCP said.
In a separate statement, the CBCP also expressed opposition to plans by majority lawmakers to reduce the age of criminal liability from 15 to 9 years.
Proponents said crime gangs used children in their activities to evade prosecution.
鈥淭he correct response, we believe, is vigilance on the part of parents and stiffer penalties for those who exploit the young in the perpetration of crime,鈥� the CBCP said.