The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) advised the public to discern carefully before participating in the signature campaign for the People's Initiative (PI) to amend the Philippine 1987 Constitution.
In a statement issued on Thursday, January 31, CBCP President Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said they were concerned about PI as this was reportedly initiated by politicians themselves and not ordinary Filipinos.
"If that is the case, it involves deception and disregard for our true and free participation in the democratic process of our country. Is that good?" he added.
Virgilio asserted that the existing Consitution was crafted after the country got freed from "a dark period in our history" and that a former chief justice had once described this as "pro-God, pro-Filipino, pro-Poor, pro-Life, pro-Law, pro-Family, pro-Marriage, pro-Human Rights, pro-Women, and pro-Environment."
The CBCP president reminded Filipino voters that inking one's signature means they are giving lawmakers the power to implement changes.
While the Commission on Election ordered the halt of all PI proceedings, David asked Filipinos to remain vigilant against attempts to push again PI for Charter change.
"Our prayer is that we will not sign or agree to any petition without careful discernment, discussion, and prayer. Let us not allow such deceptive systems to continue, encouraging those who continuously exploit our nation. Truly, this is not good!" he ended.
