THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Tuesday called on the Filipino people to take part in amending the 1987 Constitution as it expressed concern over the attempt of some sectors to make hasty and substantial changes in the 1987 Constitution.
In a pastoral letter titled “Amending the Constitution,” the CBCP said the people’s involvement would ensure that democracy, human rights and the sanctity of the family would be protected, being the basic autonomous social institution.
The bishops said the process of amending the Constitution should not be left to politicians or to those who either by election or appointment would be tasked to draft the amendment.
“The Constitution is the single most important document of our country. The Filipinos are the authors of this document,” the CBCP said.
“Those who are tasked to draft or amend it, the bishops stressed, are not the authors but the instruments of the Filipinos, and that it only becomes valid upon the people’s approval. We must be vigilant and watch over, and even suggest ideas and formulations that enter into the Constitution. We have to make sure that the resulting document embodies our rights, our ideals, our aspirations, and our dreams,” the CBCP said in its pastoral letter released after their three-day plenary assembly in Manila.
It added: “We want to tell you that the CBCP supported the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, while acknowledging its imperfections. However, we the bishops have come to the conclusion that the provisions of the new draft Constitution must be consistent with the teaching of the Gospel.
“We believe this new Constitution will provide firm basis for governance, a clear direction for national renewal and development, and a covenant towards peace.”
The CBCP also highlighted the need to study the issue of federalism, which President Duterte has been actively pushing for.
The CBCP letter said: “We cannot cite here all the provisions that we should be vigilant about. There is the big issue of federalism which we must all study.
“The clamor by many for it stems from the dissatisfaction of many people with the lack of equitable distribution of benefits, power and financial resources in our present unitary system. Do we need to change from our present unitary system to a federal system of government?
“Or will it suffice to introduce amendments and laws which will make the present unitary system responsive to the needs of disadvantaged regions?”
The pastoral letter was signed by CBCP president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas.
The bishops also asked the faithful to keep in mind that the drafting of a Constitution and amendments to it should be the concern of all, claiming the overriding concern should be that the provisions of the Constitution and all amendments to be incorporated should be consistent with the Gospel and promote the common good.
“Such concern is our right and duty as Filipinos as well as followers of Jesus Christ who wants for us all peace and life in abundance,” the bishops said.
“Do we need to change from our present unitary system to a federal system of government? Or will it suffice to introduce amendments and laws which will make the present unitary system responsive to the needs of disadvantaged regions?” the bishops asked.
The CBCP also said there was the need to assert that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” adding that “public office is a public trust.”
“Let us not allow any public official to act as if he is the master of the people, for a person is elected or appointed to public office to be a servant of the people,” the pastoral letter said.
The church leaders reiterated the call to the faithful to get involved in the process of amending the Constitution so that all its provisions will be consistent with the Gospel, and the gains of the 1987 Constitution will be preserved and enhanced, instead of being removed.
The bishops also emphasized provisions in the 1987 Constitution guaranteeing full respect for human rights, particularly the Bill of Rights.
“Let us ensure that provisions of our Bill of Rights are preserved, especially, ‘No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws,’” it said.
“Likewise, the very important is the prohibition of the death penalty, which we advocate to be made absolute,” the CBCP said.
The Church also asserted its pro-life stance as it called for the protection of the provision in which “the state shall equally protect the life of the mother and the unborn from conception.”