PRESS RELEASE
August 24, 2008
Office of National Liga ng mga Barangay President Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri
Ref. Public Information Office
Telefax 3244644

National Liga ng mga Barangay President Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri yesterday reiterated the calls from various sectors of society to postpone the shift to federalism and Charter change until appropriate consultations in the grassroots level are conducted.

According to Echiverri, the national government or any proponent of the move to change the 1987 Constitution or our current form of government should first hold public consultations in the barangay level in order to ensure that what will be heard are the “true” sentiments of the people.

The national LnB president said it would be advantageous for the country if the issues were brought to the barangayan level first since the barangays know very well the exact pulse of the masses.

Echiverri said Charter change is a very delicate and sensitive issue to handle without solid backing from the people.

And despite the numerous benefits the barangay would attain if federalism also pushes through, the barangay league president said these would have to wait pending the consultations.

Echiverri also maintained that there is a need for massive information campaigns since most Filipinos are still uninformed of the advantages of the federal form over our current type of government.

“The people should first know if the federal form could work effectively for them, in eliminating corruption in the channels of government for example and whether or not it can efficiently hasten the delivery of important services,” Echiverri said.

"And with proper understanding of the issues surrounding federalism and Charter change, the public should also actively take part in the consultations and determine whether there’s a need to change them,” he added.

He also cautioned the public that once the constitution is amended and Filipinos are still unaware of the consequences, the people will be the first to suffer.

Meanwhile, the 1987 Constitution provides three ways to facilitate amendments. The first is through constitutional convention; the second by converting Congress into a Constituent Assembly; and finally through people’s initiative.