MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Professors and scholars from different academic institutions in the Philippines have started a signature campaign against plans to hold a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

While convening Congress into a Constituent Assembly is one of the 3 ways to revise the charter, the academicians called for a more inclusive and participatory process in constitutional reform. (READ: The problem with Con-Ass? Distrust of Congress)

“Almost 80% of Congress is comprised of political dynasties, and the empirical evidence suggests that a majority of them may face deep conflict of interest if a new constitution aims for reforms that level the political playing field. The risk of capture by vested interests affecting our present politics is too great,” the professors said in a statement.

Citing recent surveys, the professors said now is not the right time to reform the Constitution.

According to the March 2018 Pulse Asia survey, a big majority of Filipinos or 64% oppose charter change. (READ: What you need to know about charter change)

Changing the Constitution also ranked last in the “most urgent national concerns” in Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated’s survey, with only 3% of the Filipinos saying that it should be acted upon immediately.

A poll by  the Social Weather Stations in March showed that only 37% of Filipinos support the shift to a federal system of government while only one in 4 Filipinos are even aware of what it is.

The professors who signed the manifesto so far include:

1. Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ, President, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan
2. Fr. Roberto E. N. Rivera, SJ, President, Ateneo de Naga University
3. Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, President, Ateneo de Zamboanga University
4. Fr. Joel E. Tabora SJ, President, Ateneo de Davao University
5. Fr. Primitivo E. Viray Jr, SJ, Provincial Superior, Jesuits in the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus
6. Br. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, President, De La Salle Philippines
7. Fr. Dionisio M. Miranda, SVD, President, University of San Carlos
8. Edilberto de Jesus, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Asian Institute of Management
9. Cielito Habito, PhD, Department of Economics, Ateneo de Manila University
10. Jaime G. Hofileña, Vice President for Social Development, Ateneo de Manila University
11. Antonette Palma-Angeles, PhD, Vice President for the Professional Schools, Ateneo de Manila University
12. Ronald U. Mendoza, PhD, Dean, Ateneo School of Government
13. Maria Fe Villamejor-Mendoza, DPA, Dean, UP National College of Public Administration and Governance
14. Melencio Sta Maria, LLM, Dean, Far Eastern University Institute of Law
15. Jose Ramon Albert, PhD, Former President, Philippine Statistical Association
16. Hadji Balajadia, MSc, Assistant Professor, Psychology Department, School of Arts and Sciences, Ateneo de Davao University
17. Nicole Curato, PhD, Research Fellow, University of Canberra
18. Lisandro E. Claudio, PhD, Associate Professor, De La Salle University
19. Jay Batongbacal, JSD, University of the Philippines College of Law
20. Victor Andres Manhit, MPA, DLSU Associate Professor (Retired) and President of ADR Institute
21. Aries A. Arugay, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
22. Maria Ela L. Atienza, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
23. Amado Mendoza Jr, PhD, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
24. Francisco A. Magno, PhD, Director, DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance
25. Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, LLM, Non-Resident Research Fellow, Ateneo School of Government
26. Tomas P. Africa, Former President, Philippine Statistical Association
27. Jose V. Camacho Jr, PhD, Professor, University of the Philippines-Los Baños
28. Luisito G. Montalbo, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Ateneo Graduate School of Business
29. Marcial Orlando A. Balgos Jr, PhD, Chair, Department of Leadership, Ethics, & HR Management, Ateneo Graduate School of Business
30. Antonio G. M. La Viña, JSD, Professorial Lecturer of Constitutional Law, University of the Philippines College of Law
31. Emilyn Q. Espiritu, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University
32. Jan Robert R. Go, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines-Diliman
33. Gerardo T. Los Baños, Department of Communications and Comparative Literature, University of the Philippines-Diliman & Deputy Director, UP Press
34. Arjan P. Aguirre, MA, Instructor, Department of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University
35. Eirene Jhone E. Aguila, Professor, Far Eastern University Institute of Law
36. Imelda Deinla, PhD, Australian National University
37. Rene D. Ledesma, Dean, Faculty and Academic Affairs, PHINMA University of Iloilo
38. Adonis Elumbre, Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of History and Philosophy, University of the Philippines-Baguio
39. Ian Jayson R. Hecita, Program Manager, DLSU Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance
40. Socorro L. Reyes, PhD, Former Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
41. Adelfo V. Briones, Adjuct Professor, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University
42. Luisito C Abueg, Graduate Fellow, UP School of Economics
43. Emmanuel S.​ de Guzman, PhD, Professor, Maryhill School of Theology & Loyola School of Theology​
44. Rejene Tan Lakibul, MPMD, Faculty Member, Department of Political Science, School of Law and Governance, University of San Carlos
45. Lloyd C. Bautista, DPA, Vice President, Academics, STI Education Services Group
46. Ranilo B. Hermida, PhD, Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Ateneo de Manila University
47. Jose Maria G. Hofileña, Dean, Ateneo Law School
48. Gillian Joyce G. Virata, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Roosevelt College, Inc.
49. Agnes M. Brazal, PhD, Associate Professor and Research Fellow, De la Salle University
50. Jose Mari O. Daclan, Ateneo School of Government
51. Bonn Juego, PhD, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
52. Loreta Castro, Ed.D, Miriam College
53. Ronald D. Holmes, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, De La Salle University
54. Keith Einstein R. Pon, Instructor I, Mindanao State University- Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography
55. Ivyrose Baysic, Head, Ateneo Policy Center
56. Ruth Lusterio-Rico, Phd, Professor, Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, UP Diliman
57. Kristine C. Meneses, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Santo Tomas
58. Margarita Holmes, Pamatasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila
59. Dennis Quilala, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, UP-Diliman
60. Ma. Araceli Habaradas, Ateneo Law School
61. Mary Racelis, PhD, Professor, Ateneo de Manila University
62. Fr. Ramon D. Echica (SThD), Dean of Studies, Faculty of Theology, San Carlos Major Seminary
63. Erwin A. Alampay, PhD, Associate Professor, National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines
64. JC Punongbayan, PhD candidate, UP School of Economics
65. Reinabelle Reyes, PhD, Lecturer, Ateneo de Manila University
66. Remmon E. Barbaza, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Ateneo de Manila University
67. Fanny A. Garcia, PhD, Filipino Department, De La Salle University-Manila
68. Segundo Joaquin Eclar Romero Jr, Development Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University
69. Michelle Estor, LLM, University of the Philippines College of Law
70. Nico B. Valderrama, CPA, MPM, ESQ, Instructor, Arellano University School of Law
71. Yvan Ysmael Yonaha, Instructor, University of the Philippines-Los Baños
72. Cheryll Soriano, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Communication, De La Salle University-Manila
73. Celia M. Austria, University of the Philippines-Baguio
74. Czarina Medina-Guce, Faculty, Development Studies Program, Ateneo de Manila University
75. Rowena Soriano, Member, Faculty of Law, Ateneo de Manila University and FEU Law; Assistant Professor, Political Science Program, Department of Social Sciences, UP Manila
76. Jose Victor Patalinghug, Academic, College of Arts and Sciences, Cebu Institute of Technology- University
77. Manuel Victor J. Sapitula, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of the Philippines Diliman
78. Ed Garcia, Framer, 1987 Constitution
79. Julian Concepcion Jr, Finance & Economics Professor, Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver Campus

No to ‘no-el’ 2019

The scholars also strongly condemned talks of cancelling the 2019 elections, saying “there are more pressing and immediate policy challenges that our leaders must address,” including the spate of killings in the country and rising prices of goods.

“A constitution is supposed to bind our nation in common values and a shared vision. It is the very glue that should unite us all in common purpose. If we are to amend the constitution, we must invest not just in the outcome, but in the very process,” they said.

“This is a broad discussion that must bring together our citizens from all walks of life, professions and political leanings. It is a national discourse that must allay fears, clarify concerns and bring us all towards common ground,” they added.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez first floated the idea of a no-election scenario in January. He raised it again on Wednesday, July 11, saying it would expedite the shift to federalism.

The Speaker explained he prefers not to have the elections in 2019 because Congress would be pressed for time to amend the charter. Con-Com chairman Reynato Puno recommends the ratification of the new constitution by May 2019, the same month the midterm polls is scheduled.

The House already approved a joint resolution calling both chambers of Congress to form a Constituent Assembly to amend the charter. The Senate, however, has not acted on it. Senators wanted to ensure that there would be separate voting between chambers should a Con-Ass be formed.

Some senators are also pushing for Constitutional Convention, but Duterte had announced he wanted the faster and cheaper mode of Con-Ass. In the latter, Congress is convened to change the Constitution while in Con-Con the delegates will be elected by the people. – Rappler.com