Unity Statement of the No to Cha-cha Coalition*

NO TO CHA-CHA COALITION / FEBRUARY 13, 2018
(L-R) Former Representative Neri Colmenares, Satur Ocampo, Lorenzo Tanada III, Sr. Mary John Manazan, Christian Monsod, Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, jr., and Bishop Deogracias Yniguez join forces with other personalities at the launching of the No to Cha-Cha Coalition at an Anti-Cha-Cha Assembly at the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

Uphold democracy, sovereignty, social justice and human rights!
No to Charter change!

 

WE, individuals, groups and institutions of freedom-loving Filipinos;

RECOGNIZING that the Constitution, while not perfect nor unchangeable, is the result of our people’s historic struggle against dictatorship and for freedom, democracy, social justice and human rights;

ALARMED that the current efforts to revise the Constitution are inimical to our cherished freedoms and aspirations, among them proposed amendments that:

• are patently self-serving for incumbent officials, such as postponing the 2019 elections, extending their terms of office, and enshrining the discredited pork barrel system in the Constitution itself;

• break up the country into regional states that will add a new layer of bureaucracy, red tape and political largesse while expanding the powers of entrenched political dynasties and warlords;

• establish a dictatorship, with immense powers given to the President during the transition period;

• delete or water down progressive and protectionist provisions on the national economy and patrimony, including limits on foreign ownership of land, public utilities, media and educational institutions, and preference for Filipino enterprises and professionals;

• delete or water down provisions on social justice and human rights, particularly the right to security of tenure and a living wage, agrarian reform, and urban land reform and housing;

• limit the exercise of the people’s sovereign will to suffrage, and the freedom of the press, free expression, assembly and redress of grievance to its “responsible” exercise;

• delete or water down provisions prohibiting foreign bases, troops, facilities as well as nuclear weapons;

AFFIRMING that the legitimate issue of the uneven distribution of wealth and power between the national and local governments can be effectively addressed without resorting to Charter change;

OUTRAGED that Congress has opted for a constituent assembly that leaves out citizens in the crafting of a new charter on which rests the essential aspects of Philippine democracy;

AWARE that in the past, such self-serving, undemocratic and unpatriotic plots at Charter change were defeated by widespread public outcry manifested in sustained protests and timely legal actions;

HEREBY RESOLVE to oppose – utilizing all democratic means possible – the current efforts to amend or revise the Constitution;

WE LIKEWISE RESOLVE to form ourselves into a Coalition with a nationwide constituency in order to consolidate and intensify our efforts to oppose Charter change at this time;

FINALLY, WE CALL ON OUR PEOPLE to remain vigilant and be involved, to participate in various activities including mass actions against Cha-cha and dictatorship, and stand for  democracy, sovereignty, social justice and human rights.#

*Adopted during the Anti-Cha-cha Assembly and launching of the Coalition on February 13, 2018 at the UP College of Law, Diliman, Quezon City.