Various sectoral leaders and social movements' initiators are opposing charter change under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, among them non-government organizations, farmers, fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, women and youth.

The sentiments against charge change were drawn out during the provincial consultation on constitutional reform held Dec. 15 in Bacolod City , organized by the Coalition for Citizens Constitution in partnership with the Philippine Rural Reconstruction – Negros and Negros Focus of Development NGOs.

Edwin Balajadia of PRRM said that while the group acknowledges the need to amend certain provisions in the 1987 Constitution, it should not be undertaken under the present administration.

He said it was the consensus of the group to form multi-sectoral convenors group that will push for charter change through constitutional convention.

Balajadia said that while the present Charter contains several progressive policies, most of them are not implemented.

The group, he said, pushes for strict enforcement of social justice and nationalist provisions other pro-people laws and policies contained in the 1987 Constitution.

There is also a need to retain the provisions in the existing Charter that provides for the protection of human rights, people empowerment and social reforms, Balajadia said.*NAB

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