MANILA, June 11, 2009-The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has formally declared its opposition to the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) and the changing of the Charter before the 2010 elections.
"We oppose any schemes to cancel, postpone or change the nature of the 2010 national elections since the political crisis facing the country is deeply linked to unresolved questions of electoral cheating," the CEAP statement said.
The Filipino people should be able to exercise their rights to choose the next set of leaders in accordance with the Philippine Constitution, it said.
This association of Catholic schools appealed to various schools in the country to raise their concerns through the participation of various peaceful mobilizations such as "busina/kampana laban sa con-ass" and letter-writing campaigns expressing their firm opposition to the Constituent Assembly as a way to amend the Constitution.
Moreover, the association has committed to assist the youth to be able to exercise their right to vote in next year's election.
"We are committed to help our youth exercise their right to suffrage wisely by encouraging first-time voters' registration and providing full support to political education for responsible and engaged citizenship," CEAP's statement added.
The association said they are mobilizing their schools in order to protect the voting process in the automated election in 2010.
"Automation needs to be fine-tuned and closely monitored to guard against wholesale frauds and disenfranchisement and to make it more accessible to and protective of vulnerable groups," they expressed.
Meanwhile, the group expressed disappointment over various issues surrounding moves to change the Philippine Charter.
"It is unfortunate that in the present context, charter change which could truly be a genuine instrument of long-term institutional reform is viewed with deep suspicion and is seen as endangering democracy itself," the group articulated.
Expressing their stand as a group of Catholic schools, CEAP said that it will continuously be active if only for the sake of the common good. (Kate Laceda)