The Student Christian Movement of the Philippines on Wednesday praised church organizations for spearheading a multi-sectoral effort to resist attempts at amending the Constitution.
“We commend the people of cloth for organizing and promoting this collective event against Charter Change,” said Kej Andres, national chairperson of the group.
Andres was referring to Caritas Philippines and other church institutions that organized the ‘People’s March and Prayer Against Charter Change’ on May 22 to urge the Senate to reject constitutional amendments.
“We realize that faith is itself political, and must inspire the flock to spread the Good News—attaining a heavenly situation for the anawim requires doing our part in quelling hellish legislation like Charter Change,” said Andres.
An estimated 3,000 participants from various parishes, Catholic institutions, and schools in Metro Manila and nearby provinces are expected to join the protest.
In January, the Catholic bishops called on the faithful not to allow “deceptive systems” to continue, after a signature campaign advocating for Constitutional amendments circulated.
“This is not a simple signature. By signing, you are giving our lawmakers the power to change our Constitution,” Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said in a statement.
The CBCP issued the statement following its 127th plenary assembly in response to ongoing attempts advocating for a People’s Initiative aimed at amending the charter.
The prelates expressed concern about the gathering of signatures, which could involve “deception and disregard for our true and free participation in the democratic process of our country”.
“It seems that this People’s Initiative was initiated by a few public servants and not truly from the initiative of ordinary citizens,” the bishops said.
On Jan. 29, Commission on Elections Chair George Garcia told reporters that the Commission “decided to suspend any and all proceedings concerning the people’s initiative”.
The prelates, however, said that the public “should not be complacent”. The bishops warned that “there may be other attempts” for Charter change.
“We will strive to initiate discussions about the Constitution and the issues facing our nation. Our hope is to reflect and decide for the genuine good of all!” the prelates said.
