How Philippine economy opened up to the world without charter change
Is economic Cha-Cha really needed at this point?.....»»
Calinan District residents protest vs disguised Cha-cha
Residents from the 19 barangays in Calinan District rallied against the disguised People's Initiative for Charter Change in a protest held on January 19, 2024. Organized by the barangay captains, around 100 individuals from each barangay gathered at Rizal Park, chanting Dabawenyos are not for sale and expressing their disapproval of the alleged cash-for-signature scheme. The protest emphasized the residents' desire for fairness and a better government approach, rejecting the notion of exchanging signatures for money. Participants, including both young and old residents, voiced their opposition to the charter change, with the youth expressing concerns about power-hungry officials. Even 75-year-old Rosminda Amarilla joined the protest to question the need for change after numerous presidents have governed without such alterations. The rally, which included a motorcade and drew approximately 300 participants, received disapproval from Congressman Paolo Pulong Z. Duterte and Congressman Isidro Ungab, who alleged that the signature campaign was orchestrated by leaders of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist. As of the latest update, PBA Representative Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles has yet to release a statement on the matter......»»
FPRRD opposes disguised Charter change initiative
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte has vehemently opposed the disguised People’s Initiative for Charter change, denouncing the cash-for-signature campaign as repugnant and a disgraceful act during a YouTube interview with Banateros Brothers on January 22, 2024. Duterte emphasized his disapproval of the initiative, urging for it to be halted, particularly criticizing the payment of individuals to sign the documents. He warned that such actions could lead to a new Constitution that might destroy the nation and open avenues for political abuses. Duterte stressed the importance of democracy in the Philippines, asserting that those seeking to remain in power should go through the electoral process. He highlighted that a well-performing and non-corrupt individual would retain power, while those with poor performance would be ousted through the electoral process. Expressing satisfaction with the current Constitution, Duterte argued that it has contributed to stability, reducing conflicts with groups like the New People's Army (NPA). He strongly advised against meddling with the Constitution, cautioning that it would only bring trouble to the country. Duterte pledged active opposition to the initiative, stating that he would campaign against it. Additionally, residents of Calinan District, Vice President Sara Duterte, and Representatives Isidro Ungab and Paolo Pulong Duterte have also voiced opposition to the People's Initiative for Charter Change. Margarita Atty. Migs Nograles, the representative of the Pwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist, alleged to have started the cha-cha signature campaign, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter as of the latest update. Related stories include the denouncement of alleged `vote buying’ in signing the petition for Cha-cha by Davao City lawmakers, Vice President Duterte's condemnation of the cash-for-signature drive, and a prayer rally against PI’s Cha-cha on Jan 28......»»
Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact
By DOMINIC GUTOMAN AND ZYSA MEI ELLORAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – For environmental defenders, the government’s push for charter change (cha-cha) could worsen the already dire impacts of destructive mining corporations on vulnerable communities. The Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (Katribu) and Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines (YACAP) held a protest in front of… The post Charter change could worsen destructive mining impact appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor
For Medy De Jesus, 74, a martial law survivor and member of human rights group Hustisya, the impending charter change could bring back another dictatorship and more human rights violations. The post Charter change could bring back dictatorship, intensify rights abuses — survivor appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Charter change could mean more US troops in the PHL – Fil-Am activists
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAOBulatlat.com NEW YORK — Filipino-American activists here denounced ongoing attempts to change the Philippine Constitution as this may result in increased US military presence in the Philippines and worsen the geopolitical tension in the West Philippine Sea. In an interview with Bulatlat, Michelle Thiele of Gabriela-New York stressed that for US… The post Charter change could mean more US troops in the PHL – Fil-Am activists appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’
IBON Foundation notes that the logic behind the push for economic Cha-cha is “fundamentally flawed.” “More foreign investment does not mean development,” IBON states, adding that despite the increase in annual foreign investment inflows since the 1980s, this did not translate to growth and development for the Philippine economy. The post Signature campaign for Charter change: ‘Rife with anomalies’ appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
87th Charter Day: Commemorating Cebu City’s founding anniversary
CEBU CITY, Philippines — This coming February 24, 2024 marks the 87th Charter Day of the City of Cebu. It was in 1937 that the city received its charter after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s grandfather and legislator, Vicente Rama, authored a bill that led to its cityhood. Cebu City Charter Day overview To trace.....»»
Senate to lead review of charter change proposals | The wRap
The wRap's highlights: Charter change, West Philippine Sea, My Sassy Girl remake.....»»
Deliberating on Charter change
As the Philippine Senate continues its deliberation on economic Charter change, it was nice to see and hear Dr. Bernie Villegas as resource person, not to mention a notable framer, as described by Senator Sonny Angara, of our Constitution......»»
Loss of Russian gas has hurt German economy - minister
The country is now in a "particularly" difficult situation, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has warned The German economy has lost its competitive advantage after abandoning Russian gas supplies, Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck stated on Wednesday. The EU's top economy benefited from cheap Russ.....»»
Losing Russian gas has hurt Germany s economy - minister
The country is now in a "particularly" difficult situation, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has warned The German economy has lost its competitive advantage after abandoning Russian gas supplies, Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck stated on Wednesday. The EU's top economy benefited from cheap Russ.....»»
Digital economy contributes 8.4 pct to Philippine economy in 2023
MANILA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- The digital economy amounted to 2.05 trillion pesos (35.396 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, contributing 8.4 percent to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday. "This resulted in a 7.7 percent growth from the 1.90 trillion pesos (32.8 billion dollars) gross value added of the digital economy in 2022," the agency said......»»
Charter Day, Prayer Rally: Cebu City police on full alert
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is now on full alert status for the Charter Day celebration and Anti-Charter Change Prayer Rally this weekend, February 24-25, 2024. Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, CCPO spokesperson, relayed that the full alert status has been enforced starting Friday morning, February 23. According to Rafter,.....»»
Xinhua world economic news summary at 0830 GMT, Jan. 18
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Although the global economy is facing sluggish growth and numerous challenges, business leaders attending the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) remain confident over the prospects of the Chinese economy. Over recent years, China has been an important engine for the global economy. China's gross domestic product (GDP) posted a growth of 5.2 percent year-on-year in 2023, h.....»»
Change: 5 reasons why we should not fear it, embrace the shift
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Change is the only constant thing in the world. Change can sometimes be a menace or it can sometimes be a blessing. Just a mere mention of this word sends shivers down our spine with the thought of uncertainty or the chaos that comes from our doubting thoughts. Change isn’t scary like.....»»
TV5 contextualizes push for Charter change via people s initiative
CHEERS TO TV5 for its explainer on the controversial push for Charter change (also called Cha-cha) through the mechanism of a people's initiative. The five-minute report provided the necessary background on the issue and broke down the underlying strategy that sets this current attempt apart from previous undertakings......»»
Teachers, academics join growing movement vs Charter change
A newly formed alliance of teachers and academics has branded the government’s Charter change campaign as a form of historical distortion, warning that efforts to tweak the fundamental law also aim to erase the memory of the years-long anti-Marcos struggle that birthed the country’s democratic cornerstone......»»
Cha-Cha: Cebu coalition says no to Charter Change
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cha-Cha or Charter Change is not what the Filipinos need at a time when necessities like rice are becoming too expensive and many are unemployed. This was the message of the newly-launched coalition called the “Cebu Citizens’ Agenda Against Cha-Cha” in reaction to the initiative on political revision. A buzz has.....»»
Why 4 lawmakers voted against RBH7, the economic charter change proposal
House lawmakers, convening as a committee of the whole, adopts the proposal on economic charter change just two weeks after deliberations started at the committee level.....»»
Charter change: Only the economic provisions should be included
So much controversy is being unnecessarily generated with this Charter change issue but in reality, changes to the overly protectionist economic provisions in the 1987 Constitution should be debated upon because it hinders the country from realizing its full economic potential......»»