‘Majority of voters illiterate,’ need education on Cha-Cha – Panelo

Bea Cupin

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

‘Majority of voters illiterate,’ need education on Cha-Cha – Panelo

LeAnne Jazul

It's crucial for Filipino voters to be educated on Charter change since they have the final say on proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution, says Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo

MANILA, Philippines – Citing a survey that said three-fourths of Filipinos are not familiar with the 1987 Constitution, Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo said voters must be given “formal education.”

Kung ang Pilipino ay hindi ka malakas makaintindi, walang aral, kasi majority illiterate na mga botante natin, iyon ang lumalabas, kailangang bigyan muna natin sila ng formal education, bago tayo gumawa ng ganyan (Charter change). Kasi, pupunta sa botohan di mo naman naiintindihan,” he said in an interview on Radyo Pilipinas on Thursday, January 18.

(If the Filipino cannot comprehend well, not educated, because a majority of our voters are illiterate, it turns out, we need to give them formal education before we can do that. Because you end up voting without understanding.)

Panelo had raised the same point during a Senate hearing on Charter Change (Cha-Cha) on January 17. (READ: What you need to know about Charter Change)

When the radio interview was about to end and he was not asked about Cha-Cha and the proposed shift to federalism, Panelo volunteered to discuss it. He said Filipinos’ literacy – or apparent lack thereof – was an issue not tackled enough during the hours-long Senate hearing.

He had said it did not matter which mode legislators choose to amend the Constitution since, at the end of the day, it’s the people, through a plebiscite, who have the final say. 

During the Senate hearing, Panelo went on to explain that it’s this lack of education that makes Filipino voters vulnerable to vote-buying and other schemes by politicians.

It’s not clear if Panelo is pushing for a longer timeline to amend the Constitution, since Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez wants a plebiscite by May 2018. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III is eyeing a longer timeline – a plebiscite by May 2019. 

The amendment or revision of the Constitution involves a long process. Proposals can be made through a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), or through a people’s initiative.

A Con-Con is composed of representatives who are either elected or appointed, while a Con-Ass is composed of sitting members of Congress. President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier signed an Executive Order to create a Constitutional Commission that would recommend amendments to the Charter.

Proposed amendments or revisions would then need approval through a plebiscite. 

Federalism was always been among Duterte’s key advocacies, even during his time as Davao City mayor. Duterte was elected President in May 2016, by over 16 million Filipino voters. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Avatar photo

author

Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.