CBCP calls for nationwide actions vs. ConAss
Msgr. Lagdameo
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), on Saturday called on his fellow bishops to mobilize to register their opposition against charter change through constituent assembly.
Lagdameo issued the declaration during a press conference Saturday afternoon at the Archbishop's Palace.
In response to the prelate's call, Msgr. Meliton Oso of the Jaro Social Action Center said that 97 parishes around the Archdiocese will be unfurling banners registering their opposition to the planned moves on the constitution by the Congress. Oso said that the banners will be displayed until President Arroyo shall have heeded their demands. The CBCP's pastoral exhortation of September 14 will also be read in masses starting today.
"I am appealing to my fellow bishops to air out their opposition at changing the constitution through constituent assembly," the Jaro, Iloilo archbishop said.
On September 14, he issued a pastoral exhortation against constituent assembly.
It is now up to the bishops on how they can register their opposition, Lagdameo stressed. How this nationwide activity will take place I don't know, he added. But as regards his archdiocese, Lagdameo said that it is possible that they might hold protest actions against ConAss. "That is possible. But of course, in case we will do that, we will ask for a permit," he said.
"We are hoping that in each diocese, through the social action centers, there will be some kind of mobilization or activity," he aired. He encouraged the Catholic faithful to gather in groups to register their opinion and position regarding charter change.
Lagdameo expects that he would "again" be labeled a "destabilizer." He observed that the government would resort to calling those not towing the line as "destabilizers."
It is the government's way of silencing the bishops, he said.
"But I don't think that would happen, to keep the bishops quiet," Lagdameo stressed.
Lagdameo clarified that what the CBCP opposes is the changing of the 1987 charter through people's initiative or constituent assembly, methods which he called "rather defective."
Lagdameo said there is a need to respond to the initiatives at changing the constitution, mentioning Sigaw ng Bayan.
"The reasons for constitutional change must be based on the common good rather than on self-serving interests or the interests of political dynasties," Lagdameo said, quoting a January 2006 statement by the CBCP on charter change.
The CBCP has been advocating for charter change through constitutional convention since 1997.
"Let it be done with widespread participation and a unity of vision, with total transparency and serenity, with reasons unarguable directed to the common good rather than to the self-serving interests of politicians," Lagdameo quoted what the CBCP said in 1997.
Constitutional convention is a mode of introducing changes to the charter. However, it has been viewed as a more expensive method, as it involves electing delegates nationwide.
"Holding a constitutional convention will be very expensive, as it will cost several billion pesos. But it is worth spending that much for something that is good for the greatest number...a constitutional convention will be a better exercise than the present powers that be, our Congress, making themselves a Constituent assembly that can easily become self-serving," Lagdameo justified.