It really needs a law.

The Supreme Court yesterday said Congress must pass an enabling law that will allow Charter Change through a people's initiative or referendum, ABS-CBN reported yesterday.

Glo Guerra, a director at the public information office of the court, said the March 20, 1997 SC decision on the insufficiency of Republic Act 6735 to allow Charter change through people's initiative still stands.

Meanwhile, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said government employees are duty-bound to do their share in nation-building as citizens of the country.

Leonardia was asked for his opinion on the Department of Justice memorandum dated Jan. 24, which said that government employees are not prohibited from campaigning for Charter Change, in reply to a query made by Speaker Jose de Venecia on the legality of the matter.

Leonardia said, "That is their political right as long as it will not disturb the delivery of services and if the activity is done after office hours." He also said "The Constitution is not a question of partisan politics or political candidates, but something that affects the nation, so all of us should do our share in anything that helps build our nation."

Cha-Cha needs the involvement of everybody without depriving government employees, of their chance to participate because they are, first and foremost, citizens of this country, Leonardia said. "I believe what is only being prohibited to those in the Civil Service and government service is partisan politics.*CGS

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