I chanced upon a virtual discussion on Facebook (FB), as I write this piece. It was about the Constitutional Reform (CoRe) being pushed by our national government. While I have a few knowledge about CoRe (well, just because I am a government communications practitioner), I delved myself into the discussion, listened attentively and carefully to each piece of phrase being presented by the panelists (there were three of them, all with expertise on the subject matter), and little did I realize that I would be so hooked to the arguments presented.
Admittedly, just in a not so distant past, I personally doubted the CoRe would reach any advanced momentum. But as I watch the discussions on FB, it struck me to believe that this proposal is finally gaining ground, inch by inch.
Maybe part of that was due to the incessant efforts of the CoRe Movement, which is a nationwide movement composed of elected public officials, civil society organizations, academicians and even ordinary citizens, which continues to push campaign in support of the proposal to amend certain provisions of our 1987 Constitution so we can make our economy more resilient and our geographical regions stronger.
*****
A lot of debates, a lot of discussions have been going around lately about this very hot issue/topic in our country today.
Some people scored that this latest attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution is to serve only a few part of the oligarchs by lifting term limits of elected officials; some others are rather skeptical if this would really help in further spurring regional and local economy; still others even question the timing of the proposal and the campaign effort itself, especially now that we are amid a pandemic.
While a lot of people may think that way, adverse to what the CoRe proponents and supporters might be thinking, and while our government really needs to focus more on addressing the pandemic (which I think our government is doing very well and responsibly at that), I just think that the pandemic, or any other challenges at that, should not, in any way, deter or interrupt our government from doing its other functions and fulfilling its other long-term deliverables. Part of these is ensuring a more resilient, vibrant, and stronger Philippines. And CoRe is a support mechanism towards reaching this.
*****
Right now, the CoRe Movement continues to push for a signature campaign in support of the proposal to amend certain provisions of the 1987 Constitution, to allow a broader set of constitutional reforms that will open up the Charter’s social, economic, political and electoral provisions, and make these more fit and responsive to the present times and needs of our country.
But, what is our stake in this? I mean, what’s in it for all of us? Allow me to put forth some key points on why we should all partake in this campaign.
*****
Angat Probinsya, Angat Pamilya!
The Constitutional Reform (CoRe) proposal will empower Regions by constitutionalizing the Supreme Court ruling on Mandanas vs. Ochoa, which clarifies that the share from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the local government units (LGUs) does not exclude other national taxes, like customs duties. The exclusion of other national taxes like customs duties from the base for determining the just share of the LGUs contravened the express constitutional edict in Section 6, Article X of the 1987 Constitution. Accordingly, the national taxes to be included in the base for computing the just share of the LGUs shall not be limited to national internal revenue taxes, tariff and customs duties, 60% of the national taxes collected from the exploitation and development of the national wealth, 85% of the national taxes collected from locally-manufactured cigarettes and other tobacco products.
So, imagine higher IRA share of your LGUs, that would redound to more and better local programs, projects and services people can avail of.
Another notable content of the proposal is the change in IRA distribution formula to favor the underdeveloped LGUs, which will consider financial needs, resources and organizational capacity.
*****
Gobyerno para sa tao, hindi para sa trapo
The CoRe proposes to institute political and electoral reforms in our country, to guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties, thus preventing the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of political power in persons related to one another.
By this, the proposal is to promote the development of political parties as democratic public institutions, with institutionalization of a rationalized and better-managed campaign finance reform.
Meaning, the State shall regulate the campaign finance, both from public and private sources, of political parties and candidates in all elections, to provide a level-playing field and encourage qualified citizens from all walks of life to run for an elective post.
The proposal also restricts political turncoatism (referring to politicians who transfer from one party to another depending on where they think they would benefit more). This particular proposed provision shall ensure strong and cohesive political parties, which are really serving a particular purpose and political agenda for the utmost benefit of the citizens.
*****
Bukas na ekonomiya nang lahat ay may pag-asa
The proposal is to relax citizenship-based restrictions on foreign investments in certain industries in order to attain the following:
- Efficiency Gains – Relaxing restrictions gives a stronger signal to the international investor community that the Philippines is open for business. Reforms that are part of a broader policy package pave the way to a more open and globally competitive economy;
- Taking back a weak state from the Oligarchs – The Philippines has been described as a “weak state” subject to capture by oligarchs and their vested interests. It is difficult to properly managed the economy when economic oligarchs also control the state;
- Reducing Corruption – Restrictive investment rules make the cost of complying with (or circumventing) those restrictions prohibitive for most investors, especially the “good” ones who wish to follow the law. Thus, the “bad” investors who break the rules are likely to be the ones left standing. This condition increases the risk of selecting a “bad” investor, and as a result, opportunities for corruption increase.
*****
I know my narratives here may not be enough to convince readers to support the cause of the CoRe. But this I would like to appeal: “Let’s give constitutional reform a chance. Set aside our doubts and apprehensions, try to understand and discern first on the proposed provisions, and from there, let’s make an informed and empowered position on the matter.”
To help you gain further inputs on constitutional reform, you may follow CORE Movement on Facebook.
The writer is a government communications practitioner, being the present regional director of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Central Luzon, with over 20 years of vast experience in development communications.