The growing socio-political instability in the country, exacerbated by external security threats in the West Philippine Sea, has compelled the Pilipino Tayo Movement to act swiftly in addressing the pressing issues of the nation; such as political bickering, infringement of freedom of speech, and growing internal threats to national security. Recently, Pilipino Tayo announced that they are initiating the call for a Constitutional Convention and will request the participation of representatives from each sector and province in the country to draft a proposed Constitution which would better address the current needs of the country that shall be submitted to the authorities and presented to the people.
Pilipino Tayo is actively meeting with some of the most respected leaders, recognized experts and intellectuals from various industries, and LGU officials to discuss the initiative. During the discussions, Pilipino Tayo has established one clear goal: To initiate the call for an inclusive and united effort towards a Constitutional Convention to address many of the problems of the country, including people’s apprehensions against Charter Change. Only a Con-Con can prevent attempts to extend term limits and proposals to give more power and money to government and politicians at the expense of the people.
It is the only way that can ensure that reforms will only be towards building a stronger economy, national security, and the protection of democracy and individual liberties. “Through this, we will have the opportunity to build a better nation and secure for our children and our children’s children a peaceful, free, and prosperous nation that can give better opportunities for our children to succeed,” they added. Pilipino Tayo also called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to clarify his position on Con-Con and Federalism.
“While we recognize that power resides in the people, we cannot ignore the difficult and important role that our nation’s leaders must play in order to make this effort count. That is why we again call on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to initiate and pursue the call for a Con-Con,” they said. “President Marcos is the chairman of the “Partido Federal ng Pilipinas”. That being said, we ask him to make his position clear. Does he really advocate for constitutional reform and federalism? Are these not ideals the very foundation by which his own political party are founded on?” they added.
Pilipino Tayo also calls on Congress to pursue a Con-Con instead of pushing for Resolution of Both Houses No. 6 & 7 which, they explained, is a manner of amendment that is not provided for in the current Constitution. Pilipino Tayo decried how the Philippines has continued to suffer from corruption in government as well as threats to national security. “Let us be reminded of the current state of our country. According to world ranking standards, the Philippines has become one of the worst investment destinations, it is ranked to be one of the most corrupt countries, has one of the weakest justice systems, and is one of the least economically free countries in the world. And because of corruption, our nation has become one of the weakest in military powers in the world, unable to defend itself from foreign threats and aggression,” they said. “Our current Constitution has been rendered powerless to address abuses and corruption in government and had made these social maladies the norm rather than the exception. It is this very Constitution that has empowered this government to intrude in all our natural rights and economic liberties,” they added.
Pilipino Tayo stressed how changing the Constitution through a Con-Con “has now become both a right and a duty of the people.” Pilipino Tayo is a movement convened by former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Chairman Greco Belgica, former Senator Gringo Honasan, Gen. Carlos Quita (Ret.), Gen. Atty. Fortunato Guerero (Ret.), Atty. Eduardo Bringas, Bishop Butch Belgica, Bishop Reuben Abante, Dr. Dennis Reyes, Dr. Prof. Froilan Calilung and former Congressman and Secretary Mike Defensor.
Pilipino Tayo urges Filipinos to join the call for National Reform through Constitutional Convention
