Saludo: Charter Change is inevitable

Southern Leyte Representative Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. urged reform of the 1987 Constitution, cognizant of the pressing need to make the supreme law of the land relevant to the times.

Speaking before two hundred forty-six (246) delegates to the 15^th House of Delegates-National Convention of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Saludo expressed that the revision of the of the Constitution is inevitable due to the changing demands of the people.  According to Saludo, the Constitution must be overhauled in order to make it more efficient and adequate political tool for governance. 

Saludo emphasized the need to restore the two-party system; to require academic qualifications when running for public office; restore the Senatorial districts; bring back to the Commission on Appointments the appointment process in the Judiciary; give adequate attention to the provisions safeguarding the Constitution from the State’s militaristic protectionism.  He concluded by saying that the 1987 Constitution has not been a catalyst to the Philippines’ economic growth and political stability.

He stressed that the Constitution should be a dynamic instrument that grows and lives and changes, because it is a framework of a system of living and of governance of people with minds, hearts and soul.

(Released on October 7, 2002)