As Congress pushes their proposed charter change, Inklusibo researched if such proposed changes would improve the Philippines. We concluded that it will not improve the Philippines and will only widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Here are the reasons why:

More foreign investment does not mean more development.

The proposed changes state that it aims to increase its foreign investments to improve the country. However, upon research, we found out that the Philippines is one of the most open countries to foreign investment as manifested through laws and policies that liberalize our industries.

The country’s state has not improved even with foreign investments. As foreign companies relocate to find more profitable locations, our local industries are left incapacitated from improving their production which consequently affects job generation, productivity increase, and income increase.

Marginalization of the poor proliferates

The proposed change of allowing 100% foreign control over PH’s natural resources and public utilities will severely affect the poor. Development aggression will increase as more public-private partnerships are allowed. This will result in displacement and loss of livelihood for the poor.

Resource inaccessibility will also increase as few protected industries such as electricity, water, petroleum, public utility vehicles, seaports, educational institutions, media and advertising, and natural resources are at risk of being liberalized. Livelihood will also be at stake as the proposed amendments will only favor the affluent and not the toiling masses.

Less accountability for the state to fulfill social and economic rights

In previous constitutional amendment proposals, we observed that constitutional provisions on security of tenure, humane working conditions, living wage, housing and basic services, and few other provisions were either amended or removed. While the current proposal does not feature the amendment or removal of any of the mentioned provisions, it may still be at risk.

If the 1987 Constitution and the charter change do not put forward the best interest of the basic masses, then what do we want?

Simple, we demand genuine agrarian reform, national industrialization, public funds for public services, protection of natural resources for sustainable growth and development of the country, upholding the rights of the basic masses, effective utilization of capital for economic growth, and an independent foreign policy.

Charter and policy changes should always include the people—especially those from the vulnerable and marginalized sectors. Without them, we fail to realize inclusivity.

We oppose the charter change.
We oppose anti-people policies.