Featured image above is ex-PACC head Greco Belgica as he calls for a Constitutional Convention (ConCon). (Photo: SDN)
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(SDN) — Would a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) solve all the problems that bedevil the Filipino nation, such as corruption, inequality, and many others?
At least one man believes ConCon is the solution.
So, he is batting for Charter Change through Con-Con.
Name: Greco B. Belgica, former head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) in 2021 from March 15 to October 18.
On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, the former anti-corruption warrior was a guest panelist at the second edition of the “Kapihan sa Metro East Media Forum” being organized weekly in Pasig City by the PaMaMarisan Rizal Press Corps to provide a platform for Filipinos to deep-dive into local and national issues affecting the country and, perhaps, provide solutions to problems affecting it.
“I congratulate you and I am one with you in what you are doing. This is a big help to the nation,” he says.
He recalled when he and other personalities launched their movement for a Charter Change dubbed the Pilipino Tayo Movement (PTM) in June this at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
“Several months ago when we launched the movement, the result of which was our call to the government to launch a true Constitutional Convention in the country concerning livelihood, crime and the root of all these is the Constitution that empowers government leaders with so much power, so much so that power corrupts and corrupts absolutely,” Belgica claims as he fielded questions from gathered reporters.
He recalled being a former city councilor during which he chaired the Committee on Peace and Order and Education. As the committee head he made sure to help maintain peace order through trying to control the proliferation of crime.
The ex-PACC chair mentioned what he claimed were “rigged contracts” as project contractors were related to the powers that be.
Belgica alleged that in some projects about “35 to 40 percent of project cost went to commission” because project contractors were related to the powers that be. He addded that in that case only “10 percent” of the budget was left to implement some projects.
Belgica noted that if the “commission” was applied to the 5,500 flood control projects that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. mentioned in his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2024 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, the projects’ standard would have suffered in the sense that engineers’ specifications would not have been followed.
Belgica’s group counts on prominent members
“It appears that God has shown such defects in the flood control projects with the recent Super Typhoon Carina and Habagat (Southwest Monsoon) which caused massive floodings, landslide, and soil erosion and damage to crops and infrastructures,” he says.
He claimed that the right to opportunities in livelihood and the right to land (ownership) are stymied because of restrictions in the 1987 Constitution, which he said can be remedied with the ConCon.
The call of the people, local government units (LGUs) executives and religious groups through a forum would be able to draft amendments to the 1987 Constitution, he pointed out.
“Before, we had one dictator with full power on a single man but, now, we have many leaders who seem to have all the money and power. Political power will always redound to economic power,” Belgica says.
In the Philippines, he says, a businessman who is an enemy of politicians will have his businesses affected.
“These are the reasons we are pushing for a ConCon, so that there will be debates, but necessarily disputes. But to discuss and exchange opinions whether or not to federalism or any other changes in the Constitution is about time to be considered.”
Belgica’s PTM group has proposed the establishment of a People’s Commission through the ConCon to be mandated to go after corrupt government officials.
His group’s membership includes PACC Secretary Fortunato Guevarra, lawyer Eduardo Bringas, former Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, former congressman Michael Defensor, Bishop Abante, Prof. Froilan Cajilum, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, incumbent Sen. Robin “Abdulaziz” Padilla, who also has batted for holding ConCon.
Belgica supports Padilla’s proposal for a Charter Change through ConCon. — EDD K. USMAN/SDN (♧)