Changing the Constitution Attempts to Change the 1987 Constitution

Summary

In this informative video, Jen Ed Bataan, a state university instructor, discusses the topic of changing the 1987 Philippine Constitution. She explains the difference between amendments and revisions, the various methods for proposing changes, and the significance of each. The video also covers past attempts to amend the constitution and the current push towards federalism, highlighting the benefits and challenges of such a shift. Jen emphasizes the importance of political consciousness and encourages viewers to engage with the political process, especially in light of upcoming elections.

Takeaways

• 📜 The video discusses the topic of changing the 1987 Philippine Constitution, focusing on the attempts to amend or revise it.
• 🔍 The terms 'amendment' and 'revision' are not interchangeable; amendments alter specific provisions without affecting the entire constitution, while revision involves rewriting the constitution.
• 📝 The constitution is considered the supreme law of the land, and any changes to it are significant and impactful.
• 🗳️ There are three methods to propose changes to the constitution: through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), or People's Initiative.
• 🏛️ The current constitution does not provide a method for choosing delegates to the Con-Con, which is a point of contention.
• 📊 People's Initiative requires a petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters and can only be done once every five years.
• 🔄 The video outlines several past attempts to amend the constitution, none of which have been successful due to various political and societal factors.
• 🌐 The shift to a federal form of government is presented as a significant example of constitutional revision, which would involve a major restructuring of power and governance.
• 🏦 Federalism allows regions to have more control over their finances and governance, tailoring solutions to local problems and potentially leading to more regional competition.
• 🚧 Transitioning to federalism has potential disadvantages, such as uneven development and issues with jurisdiction overlaps, and it also entails considerable costs.
• 📈 The Duterte administration proposed dividing the Philippines into federal states, indicating a move towards a federal system of governance.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video?

The main topic discussed in the video is the attempts to amend or change the 1987 Philippine Constitution, including the concept of charter change and the different methods of proposing amendments or revisions.

What is the difference between an amendment and a revision in the context of the Philippine Constitution?

An amendment refers to the alteration of one or a few specific and separable provisions of the Constitution without affecting the whole document, such as changing term limits or qualifications for the presidency. A revision, on the other hand, involves rewriting the entire Constitution, such as shifting to a federal form of government.

What are the three methods proposed for amending or revising the Philippine Constitution?

The three methods are: 1) Congress acting as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), 2) a Constitutional Convention with specially elected delegates, and 3) People's Initiative, where changes can be proposed by the people upon petition of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters.

What is the significance of the 1987 Philippine Constitution in the country's legal framework?

The 1987 Philippine Constitution is the supreme law of the land, setting forth the fundamental principles and framework of government, as well as the rights and duties of citizens.

Why is it necessary to amend or change the 1987 Constitution?

It is necessary to amend or change the Constitution to address its imperfections, such as weak provisions, absence of a prohibition on political dynasties, restrictive foreign ownership, and lack of efficiency among branches of government.

Can you provide an example of a constitutional amendment discussed in the video?

An example of a constitutional amendment discussed is the potential change to the term limits of the president, which is currently set at six years without re-election.

What is the process for a constitutional amendment to be ratified?

A constitutional amendment must be ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a national referendum or plebiscite to be valid.

What is the concept of federalism as it relates to the Philippine Constitution?

Federalism in the context of the Philippine Constitution refers to a shift from a unitary to a federal form of government, where regions and the national government share sovereignty and responsibilities, allowing regions to have more control over their finances and governance.

What are some potential advantages and disadvantages of shifting to a federal form of government in the Philippines?

Advantages include more regional autonomy, tailored solutions to local problems, and increased regional competitiveness. Disadvantages may include uneven development, potential issues with infrastructure, and the costs associated with implementing such a significant change in governance.

What was the proposed structure of federal states during the Duterte administration's campaign?

The proposed structure during the Duterte administration's campaign involved dividing the country into different federal states, each with its own regional focus and governance, from north to south.

How can the electorate participate in the political process and contribute to the constitutional change process?

The electorate can participate by registering to vote, engaging in political discussions, and voting in elections to elect leaders who will represent their interests in the constitutional change process.