SBG lays ‘condition’ in support of ‘Cha-cha’

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go has expressed his support to the continuing call for ‘charter change’ but lays down his basic condition that any revisions “must be made in the best interest of the Filipino people.”

“Alam n’yo, 35 years na po na hindi nagagalaw ang Constitution natin. Marahil po, alam n’yo mayroong mga nasa loob po ng Constitution na dapat pong pag-aralan po muli… halos iba diyan kailangan na talagang baguhin,” said Go in an ambush interview after attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the Super Health Center in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat, last Friday, June 10, 2022

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go earlier proposed the establishment of super health centers throughout the country as he seeks to further improve access to public health services in the grassroots, especially during the pandemic and other similar health crises.

Meanwhile, as to those advocating for charter change, Go said he believes that now is the best time to do so while the government transitions into a fresh term.

“Kung kailangan nating galawin at magkakaroon tayo ng charter change, (maganda kung) ngayon po. Huwag ‘yung patapos na ‘yung termino,” he said.

“Ngayon na, para at least presko pa ‘yung termino ng mga elected officials. (Simulan) na po na tingnan nang mabuti,” he added.

Early in his term in 2016, Pres. Duterte has pushed for the changes in the 1987 Constitution so the country can transition into a federal form of government but it did not push thru largely because of lack of support from both houses of Congress. ‘Federalism’ is one of Pres. Duterte’s campaign promises that failed to take off due to lack of support from Congress.

In a recent speech, the Chief Executive had urged the next (Marcos) administration to begin the process of possibly amending the Constitution.

Specifically, Pres. Duterte said the issues and problems plaguing the partylist representation in Congress should be among the top priorities under ‘Cha-cha,’ noting the current set up has been abused by leftist organizations or those under the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Go, on the other hand, reiterated that any suggested amendment must benefit the Filipino people and not the politicians. He said that he will oppose reforms that are only aimed at benefiting a chosen few.

“So, sang-ayon po ako kung kakailanganin po. Pero dapat ang makikinabang po kung gagalawin o magcha-charter change tayo o sisilipin ang Konstitusyon, dapat po makinabang ang Pilipino, hindi po ‘yung pulitiko,” said the senator.

“Hindi po ako papayag na ang makikinabang lang po ang pulitiko. Ang makikinabang po dapat yung Pilipino at interes po ng Pilipino ang dapat unahin natin parati,” he added.

Go also reminded the public of Pres. Duterte’s call for federalism in order to give regions greater autonomy and attain equitable economic development across the country.

“Isa sa mga isinulong ni Pangulong Duterte noon itong pederalismo. Ako po sang-ayon po ako… para (ma-empower) ang ating mga local government units,” he said, adding that Pres. Duterte had advocated for a federal government as a way to resolve the country’s economic and political imbalances.

Go also urged the new administration to “thoroughly study and review” and take into consideration the efforts started by the Duterte administration in relation to Cha-cha.

“Pag-aralan po natin nang mabuti. Kaya sabi ko nga, in fact noong kakaupo ni Pangulong Duterte, nagtawag kaagad siya ng pagpupulong ng (consultative) committee headed by Chief Justice (Reynato) Puno, na pag-aralan po ang ating Konstitusyon,” he said.