Rappler's latest stories on Charter change Philippines
[OPINION] No charter change during pandemic
'It is tone deaf on the part of government to create campaigns that will further divide its populace, especially during a pandemic'
What are the IATF's proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution?
The House committee on constitutional amendments is voting on a draft resolution containing these proposals on Wednesday, February 19
Lawmakers to recall Cha-Cha resolution they approved in secret
The House committee on constitutional amendments also plans to reopen public hearings after the executive branch submitted a new list of proposed changes to the charter
In God's country: This week's outlook
The Philippines’ biggest court verdict this year is set to be promulgated on Thursday, when a Quezon City court is scheduled to decide on the worst case of media killings in the country’s history
Business groups in favor of easing restrictions on foreign investments
But ex-Ateneo School of Government dean Tony La Viña argues that lifting these constitutional restrictions would be 'very, very dangerous'
Duterte pushes for charter change after naming next Speaker
President Rodrigo Duterte tells the House of Representatives' next leaders that changing the Constitution is necessary, whether or not for a federal shift
[ANALYSIS] Avengers and Aryas for Congress
Here's what a Duterte-controlled Senate can do. On May 13, think about how you want the Philippines to become, and then cast your vote for the future.
Ateneo presidents hit lawmakers for 'railroading' Charter Change process
The 5 Ateneo presidents urge lawmakers to include all sectors in dialogues to establish 'credibility and trust' in federalism debates
Malacañang warns House: Filipinos may reject your draft charter
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo, who says he hasn't read the House's draft constitution, asks the chamber to be more 'open' to suggestions from sectors about controversial provisions in its version
'Pinakawalanghiya': Opposition hits House's draft charter
Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao says the proposed constitution 'represents everything that is wrong with our government'
House approves draft federal constitution
But the draft federal charter's chances of getting signed into law remain bleak, with senators earlier saying it would be 'dead on arrival' at the Senate
[ANALYSIS] Deep Dive | Draft constitution: Surgical precision, not blunt force
Resolution of Both Houses No 15, or RBH, is nuanced and quite strategic. It does not look like it's dead in the water.
Arroyo denies charter change railroaded in House
Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo says the House of Representatives' moves to amend the 1987 Constitution are 'part of the democratic process'
LIST: Major constitutional changes the House wants under federalism
No term limits for lawmakers, no anti-dynasty provision, the return of the two-party system – here are the major changes the House included in its draft federal charter
House panel puts Robredo back in line of succession under draft charter
As agreed upon by the plenary in October, the House committee on constitutional amendments holds an executive session to approve the amendment in favor of Vice President Leni Robredo
Highlights of the House's draft federal constitution
(UPDATED) Here are the key provisions under each article of the draft federal charter authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 21 other lawmakers
House to put Robredo back in line of succession of draft constitution
The House agrees to return the draft constitution to the constitutional amendments panel, which will make the necessary changes in favor of Vice President Leni Robredo
'Dead on arrival': Senate leaders reject Arroyo's draft charter
'We don't have time to even talk about it,' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who stands to benefit from the House proposal
Robredo camp: 'Outright ridiculous' to remove VP as Duterte's successor
'Since when did a pending election protest become the basis of succession to the highest position of the land?' asks Romulo Macalintal, election lawyer of Vice President Leni Robredo
Arroyo’s draft charter skips VP in transition to federalism
The draft constitution, which has reached the House plenary for deliberations, sets for May 2022 the first elections under a federal system of government
Arroyo's draft constitution removes lawmakers' term limits
Resolution of Both Houses No. 15, authored by Speaker Gloria Macagapal Arroyo and 21 others, also does not regulate political dynasties
Federalism shift to cost only P13B, says Consultative Committee
The figure is much smaller than those given by the National Economic and Development Authority and think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies
[ANALYSIS] Why Duterte’s federalism endangers government’s finances
Unless we first fix existing regional economic disparities, Bayanihan Federalism will only leave more poor regions behind
Con-Com appeals to senators ‘sense of patriotism’ in charter change push
(UPDATED) ‘This is the only chance that we’ve had since what, 120 years ago, when we established the first republic in Asia,’ says Presidential Consultative Committee spokesman Ding Generoso
House to pass resolution on separate voting for charter change
(2ND UPDATE) Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo files the resolution on Tuesday, August 7, calling for a Constituent Assembly but specifying that the House and the Senate would vote separately
Arroyo OK with separate voting on charter change for House, Senate
'Better to move forward and achieve something than to be very stubborn and achieve nothing,' says Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as senators strongly oppose joint voting
[OPINION] Cha-Cha train is stuck at the station
Gloria Arroyo’s ascension to the speakership adds a new wrinkle to prospects for Cha-Cha in the Senate
What's in Consultative Committee's new transitory provisions
The Con-Com's modified transitory provisions ban President Rodrigo Duterte from reelection, call for the election of a new Transitory President, and expand the membership of the powerful Transition Commission
DOCUMENT: Final version of Consultative Committee draft constitution
The final draft incorporates changes President Rodrigo Duterte asked for: that he be prohibited from running for president in the 2022 elections, and the election of a Transition President
Military rejects electronic surveillance limits in draft constitution
Armed Forces chief General Carlito Galvez Jr also rejects a move to delete the provision in the current constitution assigning the military as the ‘protector of the people’
Con-Com draft gives president all powers to prevent secession of regions
The draft constitution 'allows the president to assume all the necessary powers of government – executive, legislative, and judiciary – to prevent the breakup' of the federated republic, says Consultative Committee chairman Reynato Puno
‘Sizeable majority’ oppose federalism? Pulse Asia survey premature – DILG
'There is no concrete proposal yet on the table.... This is premature because there is nothing really to debate about yet,' says DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya
Con-Com confident public support for charter change will grow
The body tasked to study amendments to the Constitution says the Pulse Asia survey results are a 'guide and challenge'
Big majority of Filipinos against charter change – Pulse Asia
(UPDATED) Survey results also show that a 'sizeable majority of Filipinos (66%)' are opposed to changing the present unitary system of government to a federal system at this time
Duterte’s Con-Com eyes 17 regions, plus NCR, in planning federalism shift
The setup will 'provide better perspective on how to merge regions later on or how to strengthen existing regions,' says subcommittee vice chairman Edmund Tayao
Con-Com eyes reelection for president, mandatory Cabinet post for VP
The Consultative Committee is also 'more or less agreed' on regional voting for senators and a 4-year term for president, vice president, and lawmakers
Negros bishops tell Duterte: Don't rush federalism
The bishops of Negros Island insist 'that the voice of the people and not that of self-serving politicians be reflected in any constitutional change'
[OPINION] Suspending elections involves shameless power grab
The statement of President Duterte that he will step down in 2022 even if a federal constitution is passed is as good as his campaign promise to ride a jet ski to the Spratlys
[OPINION] Facing charter change head on
We must be ready to actively participate in the hearings and consultations to be initiated by the Consultative Committee
[OPINION] Notes of caution on Duterte’s preferred constitutional overhaul
No democratic country with an existing unitary-presidential setup has been crazy enough to make these constitutional overhauls at the same time
Pimentel to Cordillerans: There'll be 2019 elections despite charter change efforts
One of the contested issues in Baguio about federalism is its effect on the Cordillera Administrative Region's quest for autonomy
Federal PH: Alvarez wants separate states for indigenous peoples
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who identifies himself as a Manobo, says indigenous peoples should be able to 'govern according to their customs and laws'
Is there a need to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution?
While the Constitution is not perfect, many argue now is not the time to change it
[OPINION | Newspoint] A souring plot
Duterte is in a great hurry. He wants to put federalism on track, hoping to construct around it some reason, some excuse, some pretext to stop the May 2019 midterm elections.
Cha-Cha without Senate 'pathetic, ridiculous' – senators
House Speaker Pantaleon Alavarez is insisting that the House of Representatives can push through with amending the Charter even without the Senate's participation
‘Con-Ass without Senate won’t pass legal, constitutional, logical test’
Tony La Viña: 'The only way a Constituent Assembly can be convened is if there is a joint resolution by both Houses'
Con-Ass pushing through with or without Senate – Alvarez
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez insists on his interpretation of the Constitution, even if it differs from that of his colleagues in the Senate and the framers of the 1987 Charter
LOOK BACK: Past Charter Change attempts and why they failed
Charter Change has been brought up by almost every administration since Martial Law
#ThewRap: Things you need to know, January 15, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Monday.
[EDITORIAL] #AnimatED: Krisis ng tiwala sa Kongresong uukit ng Saligang Batas
Magtitiwala ka bang isulat ng mga maginoong ito ang kinabukasan ng bayan at ng susunod na henerasyon?
