There are ongoing major efforts towards Charter Change in the Philippines--specifically, to amend key provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

Among key amendments proposed is the shift in the form of government from democratic-republic into the federal-parliamentary form of government. Another major amendment that is stirring up much debate is that which proposes to allow the ownership of real property and public utilities by foreigners.

Conditions for Constitutional Amendments or Revision

Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution states that:

Any amendment or revision of the Constitution may be proposed by Congress, upon a vote of <b>three-fourths of all its members</b> or a constitutional convention.

Amendments to the Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve percent of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three percent of the registered voters. No amendment shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of the Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter.

The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.The Congress may, by a vote of <b>two-thirds of all its members</b>, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

Any amendment or revision of the Constitution shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of such amendment or revision.

Any amendment shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of the petition. Hi KAMUSTA? GUS2 mo ba ng CHACHA??

History

1997

A civic group called themselves P.I.R.M.A. (Peoples Initiative for Reform and Amendments) gathered signatures and attained twelve percent of the total number of registered voters to start initiatives to amend the constitution. The Supreme Court ruled the process illegal because Congress should first enact a law for the implementation of the people's initiative.

1999

President Joseph Estrada created the Consultative Commission headed by former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa to prepare a draft for Constitutional Amendments. Political amendments were not included and focused mostly in economic aspects. One of the amendments was to allow full foreign ownership in Philippine companies.

May 2004

Senatorial candidate of the K4 coalition Sen. John Osmeña proposes the change in constitution, particularly in the form of government. However, he lost in the election.

2004-2005

Speaker Jose de Venecia is pushing through the proposal of charter change in order to change the government immediately from the unitary-presidential to federal-parliamentary.

July 2005

During the election scandal of President Arroyo, former President Ramos supports her despite of withdrawal of support form political allies. He proposes the August-February timeline to commence the charter change.During the SONA of the President, she pushes through the debate of charter change in congress.