Ladies and gentlemen, honorable opponents, and fellow debaters,

A very good evening to all of you. Today, we gather here in the spirit of constructive discourse to discuss
an issue of utmost importance: the proposal that the Philippine Parliament actively pursues Charter
Change to address the evolving needs and challenges of our nation. It is an honor for me to stand before
you as a representative of the opposing team, tasked with delivering a rebuttal to this proposition.

We, the opposition, acknowledge that our nation is indeed confronted with various pressing issues that
demand our attention and proactive solutions. However, we firmly believe that the pursuit of Charter
Change is not the most viable or effective means of addressing these evolving needs and challenges due
to the following reason:

First and foremost, we contend that the proposed Charter Change will lead to political instability. The
Philippine Constitution serves as the bedrock of our democratic system, providing a set of principles and
guidelines that ensure the functioning of our government and the protection of our citizens' rights.
Amending or revising this foundational document can have far-reaching consequences, potentially
disrupting the delicate balance of power and eroding the stability that our nation has strived to achieve.

Second, the process of Charter Change is a complex and time-consuming endeavor. Amending the
constitution involves extensive deliberations, consultations, and debates, which would divert the
attention and resources of our legislators away from other urgent matters that require immediate
attention. We must prioritize addressing the existing challenges faced by our nation, such as poverty,
healthcare, education, and the environment, rather than embarking on a potentially divisive and lengthy
process.

Third, the call for Charter Change risks being driven by the interests of a few, rather than the collective
will of the Filipino people. It opens the door for powerful factions or individuals to push for changes that
serve their own agendas, undermining the principles of democracy and the representation of all citizens.
We must be cautious in considering any amendments to our constitution, ensuring that they reflect the
genuine needs and aspirations of our diverse society.

Now, I am to address the arguments presented by the government side,

First you have introduced that the amendment is for the sake of economic growth and the facilitation of
a free market for foreign investors, there is a proposal to amend the charter change in the Philippines.
However, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), this amendment
would be too costly, estimated at around 28 billion pesos. Such a substantial amount of money could be
better allocated to address other pressing needs of the Filipino population, such as education,
healthcare, and security, which are essential for the well-being of every citizen.

Considering the Philippines' participation in various international organizations like the WTO, ASEAN,
APEC, ESCAP, and others, it becomes apparent that there are already existing mechanisms that promote
economic integration, provide policy support, facilitate access to financing, and foster knowledge
sharing and expertise. These organizations often extend financial assistance and investment
opportunities for development projects, including infrastructure development and industry growth,
catering to the needs of foreign investors. By facilitating access to financing, these institutions empower
foreign investors to embark on investment projects within the Philippines.

Given the involvement of the Philippines in these regional and international organizations, it appears
that the proposed charter change to empower investments may not be necessary. The existing
framework already provides avenues for foreign investment, and the substantial costs associated with
charter change could be better directed towards addressing the pressing needs of the Filipino
population.

Secondly, you mentioned the need for modernizing charter change as it is outdated. However, is
attracting foreign investment truly the standard for modernizing our constitution? Wouldn't it be more
prudent to allocate resources meant for charter change towards addressing pressing issues, as
previously mentioned? Furthermore, the definition of charter change provided by the first speaker
refers to the process of altering or amending a country's constitution, which encompasses more than
just economic policies, yet the second speaker said that it is to revised economic policies. Therefore, It
includes other matters such as security, health, and existing legislations, diverting attention and
resources away from urgent matters. The substantial time, resources, and effort required for charter
change could delay progress in addressing pressing issues like poverty, healthcare, education, and
infrastructure development.

Let us also consider the existing Contemporary programs and goals that are already in place, such as the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), comprehensive tax program, tourism promotion and
development, and science and technology initiatives. These programs and initiatives are designed to
create an enabling environment for economic development, attract investments, promote
entrepreneurship, and improve the overall welfare of the Filipino people.

Additionally, it is important to highlight the benefits of Article 12 as stated in the 1987 Constitution of
the Philippines. This is not to empede economic development but to protect the rights of Filipino
citizens from potential risk and exploitation. This article protects Filipino ownership of natural resources,
public utilities, and specific industries, ensuring control and promoting economic self-sufficiency. It
emphasizes the development of a self-reliant and independent national economy by prioritizing the use
of Filipino labor, materials, and products. It also regulates foreign investments to safeguard the national
economy and maintain a balance between foreign capital and domestic development. Furthermore, it
mandates the conservation of natural resources, ensuring their sustainable utilization for the benefit of
present and future generations. These provisions collectively protect Filipino interests, promote
economic development, and ensure the equitable distribution of resources.

The government side mentioned earlier the economic setbacks and recessions brought about by the
COVID-19 pandemic and now we are still experiencing the consequences, Now, do you think it is
relevant to allocate the large amount of money for charter change if we are still facing various
problems? Isn’t better to prioritize what needs to prioritize? Ladies and gentlemen, let us consider the
general landscape of our society before we formulate such actions, let us think if we are economically
stable to prioritize such change.

Thus, Instead of pursuing Charter Change, we urge our Philippine Parliament to focus on alternative
avenues for addressing our nation's evolving needs and challenges. Strengthening existing laws and
policies, enhancing transparency and accountability in governance, and promoting inclusive
development should be our priorities. By working within the framework of our current constitution, we
can better concentrate our efforts on implementing practical and effective solutions that will bring
about positive change.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, while we recognize the importance of addressing the evolving
needs and challenges of our nation, we firmly believe that the pursuit of Charter Change is not the
answer , today that we experience economic recession. We must tread cautiously, considering the
potential risks and unintended consequences of such a course of action. Let us prioritize stability,
efficiency, and inclusivity as we seek to build a better future for the Philippines.
Thank you.