SENATOR RONALD BATO DELA ROSA
COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND REVISION OF CODES

S. RES. OF BOTH HOUSES NO. 6
AMENDING ARTICLES XII, XIV AND XVI
OF THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES
MAY 17, 2024
OPENING STATEMENT

Naimbag nga adlaw ("Good morning"), Mr. Chair, colleagues present and our resource persons for today's hearing.

Foremost, I would like to thank our Subcommittee Chairperson, Senator Sonny Angara, for conducting this 6th public hearing in Baguio City. This is where I started my journey as a public servant when I entered the Philippine Military Academy. This city and its people will always have a special place in my heart just like the good mayor of Baguio City, Mayor Benjie Magalong.

There is an age-old saying: "The only constant thing in life is change." And there is no denying the truth of this saying. Ilang beses na siguro nating napatunayan, na madalas, ang mga napag-iiwanan sa buhay ay iyong mga kumakapit sa nakaraan, sa nakasanayan. When the moment calls for us to decide, we mut decide, and we can only pray that the decisions we make today are not the ones we regret in the future.

Perhaps the good thing is that we are given the opportunity to choose our fate. In the context of this hearing, I say that coming together and deciding as a nation is, in itself, already a victory.

Noon pa man po ay hindi ko isinara ang aking isip sa pagbabago. Lalo na po kung ito ay makabubuti sa ating bayan.

Today, we as a people are standing in front of a crossroad. Are we for the charter change or not? And if we are, what provisions do we intend to amend? But most importantly, will it improve the lives of every Filipino?

We want to know from the residents of Baguio City and nearby provinces present today the possible effects of the proposed amendments to the constitution. Would these amendments create opportunities and improve the local economy?

In the midst of all the controversies brought about by the manner as to how the constitution is to be amended, we have somehow found a silver lining. Every

elected official behind and against charter change claimed that their motivation is to uplift the lives of Filipinos. As to each one's declared intention, it is nothing short of noble; as to authenticity, that is something for our people to discern, and decide.

I began by telling you that I hold this place very close to my heart. And I wish to end with an assurance that also comes from my heart. Mula sa puso ni Bato, na hindi kailanman naging pusong bato. I assure you, whatever change we may all decide on, we will make sure that it is the people who will benefit the most. To the people of Baguio and the Cordilleras, whatever the outcome of this political exercise may be, I will see to it that the environment and the cultural identity of everyone is protected and at all times respected.

Maraming salamat, agyamanak, Mr. Chair.