Chief Presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile proposed on Wednesday, Sept. 21, reverting to the 1935 Constitution and electing 48 senators.
Enrile said he experienced living under the 1935 Constitution and the 1987 Constitution. He added that it is better to return to the 1935 Constitution due to its “simplicity, conciseness, and [it is] easy to comprehend.”
He said the change of the constitution during the time of former President Cory Aquino was the reason the insurgency worsened in the country.
“Kung anu-ano ang provision to weaken the government of the Republic of the Philippines that should protect the people and enhance, and advance the goal of the communist party of the Philippines and the NDF [National Democratic Front],” Enrile said.
However, lawyer Neri Colmenares opposed what Enrile said, saying that changing the constitution is not a solution to the problems of the country.
“Ang kahirapan natin ngayon ay di nagmula sa konstitusyon kung kaya’t ang pag amyenda sa kanya ngayon ay hindi solusyon,” Colmenares said.
If the constitution is to be amended, Enrile proposed to do it through a constitutional convention and constituent assembly were separate votes for the representatives of the Senate and Congress.
Enrile also explained why former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared martial law in the country.
“Nakita na nya ‘yung conventional method of dealing and order in the country would not work to defeat communist movement in the Philippines at that time nangyari na ‘yung almost all of the Indonesian in the hands of communists,” he explained. -Report from Eunice Samonte/KC – gb
