Cha-cha ‘wrong timing’: some Metro Manila mayors

Some mayors in Metro Manila on Wednesday believe that it is not yet time to discuss the proposed amendment (Cha-cha) to some economic provisions of the Constitution while the local governments are said to be busy responding to COVID-19.

According to Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, mayors will choose to focus on measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help its constituents recover from the crisis.

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“Kami sa lokal, wala kaming panahong mag-isip ng Cha-cha (Charter change) ngayon. Sa tingin mo, may panahon pa ba kaming pag-usapan ‘yan?” said Tiangco in Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.

“Honestly, kung iaaasa sa amin ‘yan, we don’t have time to even talk about it and to even think or to even read materials that they will send to us. I will be very honest, hindi kaya. Sa Navotas, hindi ko kaya. Ako bilang mayor, hindi ko na kayang isipin ‘yan sa panahon ngayon,” he added.

The mayor admitted that he had also opposed Cha-cha when he was still a congressman.

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Tiangco is said to be open to talk about Cha-cha but at other times so that he can study it thoroughly.

“Baka puwedeng huwag muna ngayon para mapag-isipan nang mabuti kasi ‘pag binago natin ‘yan, hindi naman pupuwedeng ‘Ay, teka muna. Nagmadali kami no’n eh. Baka pupuwedeng baguhin ulit?’” he explained.

Cha-cha ‘wrong timing’: some Metro Manila mayors

According to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the promotion of Cha-cha is once again facing the wrong opportunity.

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“Sana kung may tunay na Charter change, sana sa simula pa lang ng term ng Pangulo i-bring up ito para mawala ang agam-agam o kaya ‘yung mga suspicions ng taong bayan… Kaya laging nahihirapan isulong ang Charter change because of the timing,” said Belmonte.

Belmonte is the daughter of former House Speaker Sonny Belmonte who was also one of the proponents of the proposed economic provisions amendment to the 1987 Constitution but failed.

It is said that the mayor is open to open the issue of Cha-cha at the right time.

“I see the sense in economic Charter change especially during these times when we need to recover economically but within certain bounds or limit,” she said.