The Bayan Muna Partylist conducted a charter forum with the theme “ChaCha 2024: Amending the Constitution for Personal Agenda and Vested Interest” at the Eastern Visayas State University-OOrmoc Campus (EVSU-OC) Function Hall today, May 17, 2024.
The event formally commenced with the warm welcome remarks of Dr. Jeorgen T. Arradaza, Jr., the head of the Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO). It was then followed by Ms. Josephine, introducing Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares, the chairperson of the Bayan Muna Partylist, as the resource speaker for today’s event. The gathering aims to disseminate the current issues circulating about charter change.
Atty. Colmenares expressed that the Peoples Initiative (PI) has an advertisement that states the importance of changing the constitution and is really well supported by many public officials for the development of the country. However, as Filipino citizens in this country, we are given a chance to choose from two positions: the pro or the other.
“Lahat ng batas ng Pilipinas dapat sang-ayunan sa constitution. Hindi p’wedeng there’s a law that is violative from the constitution. Any rule or regulation ng isang asusasyon must not be con and unconstitutional kasi ‘yon ang highest law of the land. Kaya very important ang constitution, so kung pagpalit n’yan will impact and affect everybody, including you,” said Atty. Colmenares.
He also encouraged everyone who’s part of this society to be well aware of every latest issue that is already occurring in the Philippines that could possibly affect us. Including the status of our land properties that have been given the opportunity to be acquired by foreigners. Electricity, water, and other public utilities are supposed to be the core needs of every Filipino for their daily living; however, foreigns are also allowed to own and control public utilities. Even the schools that are purposely made for every Filipino child, which serve as the foundation of moral values, beliefs, and the future of these children, were also given permission to be acquired by them.
In his closing remarks, he encouraged all students and faculty staff who attended the event to put some of their time into sharing their knowledge about charter change with a larger audience, especially the mass media, in order to raise awareness of this issue.
