The Department of Interior and Local Government continues to push for charter change by gathering signatories for the proposal, but Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified on Monday that it is not the priority of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
According to DILG Secretary Jonathan Malaya, some 1,400 mayors are pushing for 2 amendments in the Constitution. This resolution on charter change would be presented to Congress once it resumes session next week.
Roque stressed that the fight against COVID-19 is the government’s top priority as of the moment.
“Linggo-linggo, nakikipag-usap naman po ang Pangulo sa ating taumbayan at hindi po lumulutang ang charter change bilang isang prayoridad,” Roque said in a press briefing.
“Nakatutok po ngayon ang Presidente, and buong national government sa pamamagitan ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force), dito po sa problema ng COVID-19. So hindi po payoridad and charter change,” he said.
However, Malaya noted that charter change had always been part of the plan, and that “we have to give it one final push if it will push through.”
In December 2019, a House panel already approved four proposals for constitutional reform.