Thread by @guingonabart

Thread:
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT PREPARED BY ACADEMICIANS AND PROFESSORS ON AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION,. IT IS ONLY A 3-5 MIN READ. IT JUST LOOKS LONG BECAUSE OF THE LIST OF NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE PENNED THIS.

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO GET INVOLVED. OUR NATION'S FUTURE

IS AT STAKE, AFFECTING NOT ONLY OUR PRESENT GENERATIONS BUT ALSO THE NEXT, AND THE NEXT, AND THE NEXT, AND THE NEXT..........

We, the undersigned academics and professionals, are expressing our deep concern as regards the process of reviewing and possibly amending our

Constitution.

We acknowledge the importance of discussing ways to improve governance in the country, particularly when it comes to a possible shift to a new, federal form of government. Some of us actually support federalism, while others oppose it. We have nevertheless united

in this common statement to acknowledge the importance of evidence-based debate and discussion to root out the main benefits and costs of such a reform.

Given the far-reaching implications of this reform, we believe the process must be much more participatory—including not

just those who are for this reform, but also those who oppose it. International policy experience and evidence suggests that constitutional reforms are more effective if deliberations are front-loaded at the crafting stage, rather than belatedly appended once these reforms are

already ratified.

The present environment is not conducive to reforming the constitution. The most recent nationwide surveys of SWS and Pulse Asia last March 2018 show that only 25% of our citizens sufficiently understand our existing constitution, while only 37% support the

shift to federalism. 64% are against charter change.. ‘Changing the Constitution’ also ranked last in the ‘most urgent national concerns’ with only 3% of the Filipinos saying that it should be acted upon immediately.

We do not support calls to channel this reform through a

Constituent Assembly.

Almost 80% of Congress is comprised of political dynasties, and the empirical evidence suggests that a majority of them may face deep conflict of interest if a new constitution aims for reforms that level the political playing field. The risk of capture

by vested interests affecting our present politics is too great.

We do not support calls to postpone or cancel elections in 2019.

Finally, we believe that there are more pressing and immediate policy challenges that our leaders must address. The rising death toll linked to

the anti-drugs campaign, which now includes many children and young people. The killings of political leaders and priests also further raise the spectre of injustice. Rising prices of basic commodities, transportation and other needs are also hitting the poor, our workers, and

millions of low income households. If these are unresolved, then how can we credibly unite around “rule of law” and “human rights” under an amended constitution?

A constitution is supposed to bind our nation in common values and a shared vision. It is the very glue that

should unite us all in common purpose.. If we are to amend the constitution, we must invest not just in the outcome, but in the very process.

This is a broad discussion that must bring together our citizens from all walks of life, professions and political leanings. It is a

national discourse that must allay fears, clarify concerns and bring us all towards common ground.

Signed:

Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, President, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
Fr. Roberto E. N.. Rivera, SJ, President, Ateneo de Naga University

Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University
Fr. Primitivo E. Viray, Jr., SJ, Provincial Superior, Jesuits in the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus
Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, President, De La Salle Philippines
Fr.. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD,

President, University of San Carlos
Edilberto de Jesus, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Asian Institute of Management
Cielito Habito, PhD, Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University
Jaime G. Hofileña, Vice President for Social Development, Ateneo de Manila University

Antonette Palma-Angeles, PhD, Vice President for the Professional Schools, Ateneo de Manila University
Ronald U. Mendoza, PhD, Dean, Ateneo School of Government
Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza, DPA, Dean, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance

Melencio Sta Maria, LLM, Dean, Far Eastern University Institute of Law
Jose Ramon Albert, PhD, Former President, Philippine Statistical Association
Hadji Balajadia, MSc, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Ateneo de Davao University

Nicole Curato, PhD, Research Fellow, University of Canberra
Lisandro E. Claudio, PhD, Associate Professor, De La Salle University
Jay Batongbacal, JSD, University of the Philippines College of Law
Victor Andres Manhit, MPA, DLSU Associate Professor (Retired)

and President of ADR Institute
Aries A. Arugay, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
Maria Ela L. Atienza, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman

Amado Mendoza, Jr., PhD, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
Francisco A. Magno, PhD, Director, DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance
Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, LLM, Non-Resident Research Fellow, Ateneo School of Government

Tomas P. Africa, Former President, Philippine Statistical Association
Jose V. Camacho, Jr., PhD, Professor, University of the Philippines-Los Baños
Luisito G. Montalbo, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Ateneo Graduate School of Business

Marcial Orlando A. Balgos Jr.., PhD, Chair, Department of Leadership, Ethics, & HR Management, Ateneo Graduate School of Business
Antonio G. M. La Viña, JSD, Professorial Lecturer of Constitutional Law, University of the Philippines College of Law

Emilyn Q. Espiritu, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University
Jan Robert R. Go, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
Gerardo T.. Los Baños, Department of Communications

and Comparative Literature, University of the Philippines-Diliman & Deputy Director, UP Press
Arjan P. Aguirre, MA, Instructor, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
Eirene Jhone E. Aguila, Professor, Far Eastern University Institute of Law

Imelda Deinla, PhD, Australian National University
Rene D. Ledesma, Dean, Faculty and Academic Affairs, PHINMA University of Iloilo
Adonis Elumbre, Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of History and Philosophy, University of the Philippines-Baguio

Ian Jayson R. Hecita, Program Manager, DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance
Socorro L. Reyes, PhD, Former Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
Adelfo V. Briones, Adjuct Professor, Ateneo School of Government, ADMU