Church officials lead defence of Filipino constitution

Church officials in the Philippines organised a street prayer rally in Manila last week, asking citizens to oppose the government’s move to amend the 1987 constitution.

“Let us express our opposition to the charter change,” said Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan, president of Caritas Philippines, the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Around 3,000 people from Manila parishes and nearby areas joined the rally on 22 May, which a Church official said was a “powerful display of unity” against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s plan to change the constitution, known in the country as a charter change.

“This march is not just a protest – it is a prayerful plea to the leaders to prioritise people’s needs,” said Bagaforo during the rally outside the Senate building.

Marcos, elected president in 2022, claimed his proposed changes to the constitution would boost foreign investment, stimulating what is already one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies. He said the current constitution “was not written for a globalised world”.

All Catholic parishes were asked to hold prayer services and novenas to “enlighten lawmakers” on the proposed changes. Bagaforo has called on the Filipino government to educate citizens about the current constitution and explain any problems with it.

Under the 1987 constitution, presidents are limited to one six-year term in office, but Marcos has objected to this. Some legislators have also reported fears that his charter change would abolish the Senate and introduce a unicameral parliamentary form of government. The newly-elected Senate president Francis Escudero is among the opponents of the change.

The existing constitution also restricts foreign ownership across various industries, including the media.

Protesters at the rally asked the government to improve human rights, environmental protection, natural resources and wages. “We believe in the power of collective action to bring about a positive change,” Bagaforo told the people gathered.

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