NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte repeated his plea on Monday for the 1987 Constitution’s clause on the party-list system to be amended or repealed, claiming that it is solely utilized as an electoral vehicle for the wealthy and powerful.

“Kailangan natin baguhin na ang Constitution, sa totoo lang.” Eh nasa sa inyo ‘yan (To be honest, the Constitution needs to be amended.) But it’s up to you),” Duterte remarked in Batangas during a speech.

Constituent assembly (Con-ass) or constitutional convention, he suggested, might be used to propose revisions to the Constitution (Con-con).

“The United States Constitution is far from flawless. “I wouldn’t say it’s the worst Constitution in the world,” he added, “but we nearly copied it from America word for word when we founded the Republic in 1947, naging Republic of the Philippines tayo (we became the Republic of the Philippines).”

He also stated that the party-list system was utilized as a backdoor to be elected to Congress during the administration of late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

“Panahon ni Cory ‘yon Constitution nila eh,” says the narrator. It was an enabling statute or something in the Constitution itself na magkaroon ‘yung representation ‘yung mga tao, kanya-kanyang ano — just like for the common tao at sa mga mahirap. (That Constitution was in effect at the time of Cory’s election.) He explained, “The party-list was designed to be–it was an enabling statute or in the Constitution itself to provide people representation–exactly like for the common people and the poor)…”

It is now being exploited by the wealthy to get a foothold in Congress, according to Duterte.

“Lahat ng mga mayaman, buong Pilipinas, lahat ng mga milyonaryo may party-list, agawan sila ng party-list, agawan sila ng party-list, agawan sila ng party-list, agawan sila ng party-list, agawan sila ng party-list, agawan sila ng party- Iyong ibang walang party-list, binibili nila (All the wealthy, throughout the Philippines, all millionaires have party-lists, and they’re seizing party-lists.) Others who don’t have party lists buy),” he noted.

He admitted that some party lists truly represent marginalized groups, but he also pointed out that there are “opportunists” who take advantage of their riches and status.

“Iyong iba naman eh talagang straight,” says the narrator. Iyong mga oportunista has a problem. Others are really straight, iyon ang payo ko sa inyo (Others are really straight, iyon ang payo ko sa inyo). The opportunists are the issue. That is my recommendation to you),” he stated.

‘Surrender’

Meanwhile, Duterte reiterated his call for New People’s Army (NPA) rebels to surrender, promising them free housing and other benefits if they do.

“Sabi ko sa kanila mag-surrender kayo may bahay,” he remarked.

He called the NPA’s more than 50-year insurgency “pure foolishness.”

“Maawa sana ang Diyos sa kanila na malagyan ng kaunting pag-iisip na malagyan ng kaunting pag-iisip na malagyan ng kaunting pag-iisip na malagyan ng kaunting pag- (I hope the Lord has mercy and touch their minds)…

“You know, continuing to conduct war against the government for 53 years is just ridiculous,” he added.

Duterte decried the use of public monies by some party-list organisations linked with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) to help the rebels in a March 29 public address.

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines have all designated the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

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