CBCP Reiterates Stand on Chacha

MANILA, May 20, 2009-An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that bishops are firm on their position not to favor the amendment of the Constitution.

Changing the Charter is not necessary in order to institute reforms in the country today.

"Ulitin ko lang po yung stand nila (na) hindi kinakailangan ang chacha upang baguhin ang ating bansa (at) ating mga tao," stated Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, Media Director of CBCP.

Quitorio added that if amending the Constitution is really necessary it must not be through the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) but through Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

"Amending the Constitution should be done by those who are chosen by people, those whom they trust, that is why a constitutional convention is more favorable," he said.

Meanwhile, Quitorio explained that pursuing the constitutional change must be timely.

"Hindi gawin ngayon (ang pagbabago ng Constitution) maghanap ng tamang panahon upang magkaroon tayo ng magandang pagbabago ng Saligang Batas kung kinakailangan," he declared.

He added that people cannot but speculate about some questionable motives by those who is presently holding power if changing the constitution is done at this point in time.

The Constitution presents three forms of amending the Constitution which is through the organization of a Constituent Assembly, formation of a Constitutional Convention and the People's Initiative. (Kate Laceda)