Klarex lukewarm on Cha-cha drive

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy said while he favors Charter change, it shouldn’t be pursued at this time when the country is still reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During a press briefing, Mayor Uy said any campaign to amend the 1987 Constitution should take into consideration public sentiment on the issue.

“When I served as congressman (of Cagayan de Oro City’s 1st district) there were several attempts to change the Constitution but none of them managed to succeed,” Uy said in Visayan.

When asked about any local Charter change signature campaign, Uy said he was not approached by any allied barangay official about it.

“Nor did I meet with them to discuss it,” the mayor said.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a People’s Initiative should secure the signatures of 12 percent of the total nationwide registered voters and three percent of registered voters per legislative district to facilitate amendments to the Constitution.

Once the signatures are gathered, a plebiscite will be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a radio interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said the ongoing signature campaign for Charter change can be voided if there’s evidence that government funds were used for the initiative.

When asked when he would favor Charter change, Mayor Uy joked “Maybe next year (election 2025),” drawing laughter from the local media.

Still, Mayor Uy said any initiative to pursue Charter change should take into consideration public opinion or sentiment as well as the cultural temperament of Filipinos.

“It depends on public sentiment. There are ongoing consultations and hearings (and we should take heed of what they think and feel about it),” Uy said. (Stephen Capillas of City Information Office)