When the written constitution has become inadequate to address governmental abuses and corruption; when it was written for a time that no longer exists, and these social maladies had become the norm rather than the exception. When our government looses its ability to make meaningful changes in the lives of its people, and the constitution, which was supposed to protect our natural rights and economic liberties, has rather empowered the government and its officials to infringe on these very rights;
When according to world standards, our nation has become among the weakest in military power, unable to successfully defend itself from foreign threats. When we continue to rank poorly as an investment destination, when we are known for high levels of corruption; and continue to perform poorly in ease of doing business, have one of the weakest justice systems, and lack economic freedom.
When the government is rendered powerless to provide decent jobs for its people, control inflation, and reduce the growing disparity between the rich and poor. When excessive display of power and wealth among government officials is evident, while the general population suffers from poverty.
When the Current Constitution Reinforces the Loss of Credibility and Effectiveness of Government to Promote and Protect Filipino Ideals and liberties, and its Ability to Adequately Respond to the Changes that affect every Filipino and the collective national interest is for the most part absent; Then our government has lost its ability to make meaningful changes in the lives of its people.
When Congress, as a constituent assembly, lacks credibility due to fears that any constitutional changes will redound to benefit only themselves; When public acts of defrauding the people into signing proposals disguised as financial aid are common knowledge; When the public is afraid of politicians’ intentions in extending their terms and consolidating power through changes in the constitution;
Then the inadequacies of the current constitution make a constitutional convention the only credible and acceptable option. This initiative has become both a duty and a right for the people to call for.
For almost 40 years, the government has aggressively attacked and diminished the natural and God given rights it was established to protect. Thus, we call on the people to come together to demand a convention that will write a new constitution that truly represents the collective consent of the Filipinos.
We call on the President to clarify his stance on charter change and federalism. An advocacy of the very political party he chairs and lead. And we call on him to lead the call for this convention. Furthermore, We urge Congress to pursue the constitutional convention it previously endorsed. And finally, we call on the people to join the initiative to call for a constitutional convention.
We dream of building a free nation that can provide its people a simple, peaceful, and prosperous life with ample opportunities for high-paying jobs, equal opportunities for children, effective justice, and security from all threats.
Let us come together to call our leaders to sit down with each other and among us to discuss the necessary changes our nation needs to build a better nation for our children and children’s children.
Greco Belgica, MNSA
Gringo Honasan
Bishop Butch Belgica
Bishop Reuben Abante
Atty. Eduardo Bringas
Atty. Jeremiah Belgica
Gen. Atty. Fortunato Guerero
Gen. Carlos Quita
Mike Defenso
