It is interesting to note that in this time of global economic crisis, Filipino politicians are more concerned about changing the constitution rather than looking for creative ways of cushioning the crisis' impact on a large number of their constituents who will be greatly affected by its devastation. While it cannot be denied that our constitution desperately needs some degree of overhauling, especially in the area involving the economic provisions, it is also equally undeniable that our politcians' greed for power and their shameless lust of eternally holding on to it is, to say the least, deplorable.
The Philippine constitution is definitely wanting in the aspect of competitiveness due to some limitations imposed under its economic provisions. The ownership restriction on business and real property not only depicts a highly obsolete sense of nationalism on the part of the framers of the constitution but also conveys an impractical adherence to protectionism. Candidly speaking, this is not the right attitude to follow in order for our country to be at par with its Asian neighbors and to be able to compete in the global arena. What we need to do right now is to come out of the box and to step up with what the rest of the world is doing.
Unfortunately, however, our politcians are making a big fuss over this issue to cover up for an impending sinister plot. They are actually conspiring with each other by pretending to amend our constitution in order to cure the 'inadequacies' contained therein. They want the people to believe that their motive for pushing such a proposal is noble. But judging from the way these traditional politicians have been conducting themselves on matters affecting the operation of the government and the welfare of the people, the truth is that they are actually concealing their real intention under the guise of a good motive.
Pushing for a charter change at this point in time is not the most prudent thing to do for our politicians. It is ill-timed, unnecessary and counter-productive. A great majority of our people believes that the real reason why these politicians are hellbent on changing the constitution is not to amend the economic provisions but to extend the President's term of office. Changing the form of government to a parliamentary unicameral system would pave the way for President Arroyo to become Prime Minister and thus perpetuate their family's hold on power.
It is without question that our nation's constitution needs a major change but it should be done after the 2010 elections. That is the most logical thing to do in oder to erase any cloud of doubt as to its real intention. The Arroyo administration and its allies should learn their lesson the easy way by reflecting at the mistakes of past administrations rather than learning it the hard way by getting booted out from office by an angry nation. As the curtains start to fall signalling the approaching end of its term of office, its incumbent officials can still pull a grand finale of sorts by cleansing the government of the evils of graft and corruption and coming up with concrete programs that aim to protect its citizens of the crippling effect of the global finacial meltdown. That would, to some degree, be a great way of fixing a shattered reputation.
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