Several progressive groups, including a former member of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Cabinet, have argued that he should oppose the progress of Charter change (Cha-cha) and his party’s nomination of him to run in the 2022 elections.
In an online forum, former Agrarian Reform Secretary and former Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano said he opposed them.
“Kailangang sama-samang biguin itong tangkang pagpupuslit ni Duterte ng kanyang Charter change at hindi lang naman talaga totoong ito ay para sa pagbabago doon sa ‘economic provisions’ ng 1987 Constitution,” said Mariano.
“Nasa likod din nito yung kanyang desperadong tangka para mapanatili sa kapangyarihan,” he added.
He said that if Duterte’s plans continue, Mariano believes that the Filipino people will not allow it.
He also said that many are calling against the President.
“Kung talagang tatakbo siya, naku po, kasama po ang Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas at Anakpawis Partylist na malakas na mangangampanya na ibasura ang kandidatura ni Rodrigo Roa Duterte anuman po ang kanyang tatakbuhan,” he said.
Former Cabinet member of Duterte opposes him running in 2022 elections
Mariano failed to get through the Commission on Appointments on September 6, 2017. He is the fourth member of the Duterte Cabinet to be rejected by the CA, former Social Welfare Sec Judy Taguiwalo, former Environment Sec Gina Lopez, and former Foreign Affairs Sec Perfecto Yasay.
Danilo Ramos, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson, insisted on the passage of last night’s economic Charter change by the House of “last minute legislation.”
The resolution aims to amend the allegedly restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.
The Senate had earlier said it was impossible to pass it because Congress was running out of time.
Rosario Guzman, executive editor and research head of the Ibon Foundation, said they have long warned the House that the attempt to amend the Constitution is tainted with self-interest whenever they attend the hearings.
“Lagi nating sinasabi na self-serving yung Charter change. Ito ay para sa pagpapanatili sa poder ng Duterte administration at lagi tayong pinagsasabihan na economic cha-cha lang ito, huwag ninyo ito haluan ng pulitika,” said Guzman.
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