Centrist agenda for BBM: Revise 1987 Constitution

Second of 3 parts

THIS is the second part on the Centrist Democrats (CD) agenda for the BBM government. Last week's column dwelt on the efforts of past administrations, from FVR to Duterte, to initiate changes in the 1987 Cory Constitution, save for PNoy — who vehemently opposed any amendments to his mother's constitution. Central to all these is the role of the Senate in blocking these changes. One of his more notorious subalterns, gatekeeper for the status quo, was the chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, who averted at every turn considerations for serious changes in the Constitution. This contributed to the erosion of PNoy's legacy despite his economic gains. This intransigence left the once venerable party of Diosdado Macapagal and Jovito Salonga, now led by Kiko, in shambles. This obstinacy spilled over to Vice President Leni Robredo's psyche guaranteeing her political demise.