By GENALYN D. KABILING
Malacañang has brushed aside concerns raised by Catholic bishops about the alleged creeping dictatorship in the moves to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the constituent assembly is one of the three constitutional means to introduce amendments to the Charter.
“Hindi ko po maintindihan paano maging creeping dictatorship po iyan,” Roque said in a radio interview.
“Sa Saligang Batas mismo nakasaad iyan, iyong mga pamamaraan para mabago ang Saligang Batas – constitutional convention, constituent assembly at saka through people’s initiative,” he added.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed concern with the moves to let Congress, sitting as constituent assembly, to revise the Constitution.
The CBCP, in a statement, said the lack of public participation, lack of transparency, and perceived promotion of self-interests have contravened the lawmakers’ intention that Charter change would be for the common good.
“When the move for Charter change becomes self-serving, such as when it calls for ‘No-El’ (no elections) and pushes for an extension of terms of office, it is to be expected that citizens would react with suspicion, astonishment and exasperation. In addition, the feeling of a creeping dictatorship is conjured by past experience,” the bishops said.
Roque, however, said he was puzzled where the bishops have drawn its conclusion of a creeping dictatorship.
“Hindi ko po maintindihan kung saan sila nanggagaling. Pero huwag po nilang pulaan ang constituent assembly dahil pinupulaan po nila iyong taumbayan na nagratipa, nagbigay ng buhay doon sa ating Saligang Batas,” he said.
Roque noted that the bishops could relay any concerns to their colleague San Beda College of Law Dean Ranhilio Aquino, a member of the consultative committee formed by the President to review the Charter.
“Tama po iyan, dahil talaga namang napakalapit ni Father Rannie sa CBCP,” he said.