APCHRP Warns of Further Deterioration of Human Rights with Marcos Jr.’s Cha-Cha
The Asia-Pacific Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (APCHRP) expresses deep worry over the effects of the railroading of the Charter Change (Cha-Cha) by the Marcos Jr. administration amidst the already-worsening situation of human rights in the Philippines.
APCHRP warns that human rights will be adversely affected through first, the provisions of the current 1987 Constitution in its context coming after the two-decade dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., being altered and through second, attacks on civil liberties brought by greater economic liberalization.
The 1987 Constitution was a tangible outcome of the 1986 People Power Revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship. Therefore its context has granted many provisions on human rights so that abuse of power would not hopefully not happen again.
She also explained that, “A Marcos changing the constitution would definitely tinker with provisions limiting and regulating martial law and rights against torture and other forms of human rights violations stipulated under the Bill of Rights,” Sr. Patricia Fox, APCHRP Spokesperson said. “The 1987 Constitution was born out of the struggle of the broad anti-dictatorship mass movement and is reflected in having a very exhaustive bill of rights, aimed to safeguard civil, political, social, and economic rights.”
These are evident from the numerous cases of unlawful searches and illegal surveillances which been continously condemned by human rights groups. To note, many political prisoners have had evidence planted, many extrajudicial killings have been committed, and protests and mass actions from cities to the countryside have been violently dispersed by state forces. “Changing the Constitution will only seek to legalize human rights violations and give credence to draconian laws such as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020,” Fox warned.
Changing of the 1987 Constitution also puts workers and farmers at worse risks, with a government putting premium on the profit interest of foreign investors. Critics have said that laws that protect workers will be diminished in order to attract more foreign investment. “Surely, economic liberalization provisions of Cha-Cha would entail worse working conditions and disregard of rights of workers to organize, assemble, and express themselves,” Fox said. Currently, working conditions and workers’ rights in special economic zones have been gravely relaxed in order to attract more foreign investment.
Hence, APCHRP enjoins the broad masses of Filipinos to trump Marcos Jr.’s Cha-Cha in order to safeguard their rights.
“Greater resistance and greater numbers of opposition groups and individuals are needed to collectively win against the evil of self-serving and anti-Filipino Cha-Cha of Marcos Jr.,” Fox ended.
Reference: Sr. Patricia Fox APCHRP Spokesperson
Phone: 0423 233 152
Email: apchrp2019@gmail.com
