Council member, businessman agree on ChaCha
by: Rachelle Nessia

“The 1987 Constitution was not fully studied well,” reasons Dumaguete City Councilor Manuel Patrimonio when asked why he favors changing the constitution.

Patrimonio said the 1987 Constitution was then amended “to legalize Cory’s revolutionary government” but now it needs to be changed.

Changing the constitution will also save people’s money, he adds.

The councilor said that under the present government system, election is done almost yearly. He cited the elections which took place between 1992 to 1998 – the 1992 national election, 1993 ARMM and Cordilleras Autonomous Region, 1994 barangay elections, 1995 mid-year election, 1996 SK election, 1997 barangay election and 1998 national election.

He said the elections cost billions of pesos at the expense of government coffers as the funding comes from the public treasury.

Patrimonio said that the money poured into the conduct of elections could have been used to fund the implementation of more government projects and thus save public funds.

On the other hand, Roy Cang, a prominent businessman in the city, said the Charter Change should be made “now or never” or else continue to “agonize the masses.”

Cang said that under the current government system, there are many deadlocks which are hindering growth in the country and this would be addressed when there is a change in the constitution.

He cited the advantage of a parliamentary system – lesser number of people equals reduced cost and faster action.

The businessman, who owns a major hotel and department stores in the city, believes that a change to parliamentary government will boost the country’s economy.

But, he quickly adds that he hopes that a change in government would also result to a change of hearts of the people governing it. “People in the government should set aside their political agendas which is destroying the country,” he said.

It’s high time for Cha-Cha – SSX prexy
by: Rizalie Calibo

There is really a need for Charter change and the time is now, says Siquijor State College President Dr. Dominador Q. Cabanganan on the issue of whether to change or not to change the Constitution.

Dr. Cabanganan said the present structure of government is defective an vey that it has to be ironed out, realigned and strengthened according to the changing needs of our times. “There are people in the government who are not attuned to the changing needs, but for me constitutional change is as urgent as it is necessary,” stressed Cabanganan.

He likened the Cha-Cha issue to a house in need of repair. “Kumbaga sa bahay, it needs to be repaired although I prefer a new construction…but if we lack the resources, then the repair will suffice and new construction will follow,” Cabanganan said.

In reaction to some views that the government has to solve first the series of economic and political crisis plaguing the country, Cabanganan said that a problem cannot be solved by adding another problem.

Siquijor Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Engr. Judy Booc said the Constitution may need change but what is more pressing is the need to address the critical issues at hand and for the government to stabilize first.