PGMA's Speech during the Ceremonial Submission to the President of the Report of the Consultative Commission to propose the revision of the 1987 Constitution

PGMA's Speech during the Ceremonial Submission to the President of the Report of the Consultative Commission to propose the revision of the 1987 Constitution

Heroes Hall, Malacañang (December 16, 2005)

Thank you, Secretary Ermita.

Vice President de Castro, Speaker de Venecia, the convenors of the Constitutional Commission, Secretary Nonong Cruz and Secretary Angie Reyes, the head of the secretariat for the Constitutional Commission, secretary and now Ambassador Bobbi Tiglao, Chairman Abueva, Governor Ortega, members of the House, members of the Cabinet, commissioners, local chief executives, the AFP chief-of-staff and the major service commanders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

The world changes with great speed, in leaps and bounds, as the years go by but especially in this 21st century. And victory lies not only in superior skills and economic acumen, it lies in superior political systems.

The model of governance demanded by the rapidly changing times must be able to gather and concentrate the energies of a nation on strategic goals when needed, but spread political power to the regions for greater economic efficiency to fight poverty and erase destitution.

The model of governance must be able to moderate if not eradicate the politics of hate. It must be able to build confidence and optimism on the firmament of popular faith and hope because we, the Filipino people have earned the right to be more hopeful.

The peso is the world's best performing currency for the year 2005. Our OFW remittances are surging. An annual deficit... Our annual deficit as of November is 37 billion pesos below ceiling, allowing us... And that's the reason why we can give a 5,000 peso bonus for state workers and proposed a tax exemption for minimum wage earners.

Other countries like South Korea whose president just left this noon, appreciate our workers enough to change the rules to accommodate our requirements and appreciate our fiscal responsibility enough to give us preferential treatment in their official development assistance.

But the challenge of unemployment is unfinished.

The model of governance must address that unfinished challenge. We created many jobs this year. As of last statistics, almost a million, but more entered the labor force. That's why the challenge is still unfinished. And the model of governance must be able to address that challenge with greater success than we have been having all these past decades. Moreover, the model of governance must be able to forge the vision of a Philippines in the ranks of the first world in 20 years.

The Philippines must not be left behind as it is being left behind. It must lead in both integration and competition.

The key is systemic change. A change in the system.

As our speaker said earlier, we have strained the present political system to its limit. And if we must do more, we must free the country from the limits of the present system.

I have warned of creeping degeneration of our politics. This generation has been creeping all these years and now tending to blow up in our faces unless we stop that momentum. I have spoken of the need for fundamental change, as our speaker said earlier, way back since 2003 and again in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan, and again in my last State of the Nation Address and I said, the sooner the better. And I must congratulate the Constitutional Commission because you finished your part of the job sooner and therefore better.

Today, you have presented to me a road map that has been laid by the Consultative Commission towards the fulfillment of our dreams. I commend all the members of the Consultative Commission for their patriotism, dedication and perseverance in crafting this framework of change. And for this, I am bestowing upon each one of you the Presidential Medal of Merit.

I ask everyone else to please reserve your applause until all the commissioners who are here today have been called.

So, we have the list of commissioners: Angelo Abarico; Alfredo Abueg; Jose Abueva; Anthony Acevedo; Ronald Adamat:Omar Ututalum Amin; Emmanuel Angeles; Sergio Apostol; Rene Azurin; Andres Bautista; Jose Bello, Jr.; Romela Bengzon; Jarius Bondoc; Jesus James Calisin; Noel Cariño; Gonzalo Catan, Jr.; Francis Chua; Gerardo Espina, Sr.; Pablo Garcia; Nelia Gonzales; Joji Ilagan Bian; Rita Linda Jimeno; Gonzalo Jurado; Amado Lagdameo; Raul Lambino; Liberato Laus; Jose Leviste, Jr.; Lito Monico Lorenzana; Alex Magno; Emily Marohombsar; Democrito Mendoza; David Naval; Victor Ortega; Vicente Paterno; Carmen Pedrosa; Fernando Peña; Oscar Rodriguez; Pedro Romualdo; Mel Sarmiento; Betty Lou Tabanda; Efraim Tendero; Rey Teves; David Tirol; Miguel Varela; Jose Villanueva, and last but not the least, the man who put us in the U.N. Security Council, Alfonso Yuchengco.

I now transmit the recommendations of the Commission to Congress to serve as a point of reference for its historic deliberations.

I bear faith that our legislators will take the historic political process to a higher level, as the nation strikes a bold, decisive sweep of fundamental reforms.

And in the end, it will be the sovereign people who will be the only power that can change this great country.

Mabuhay!

Maraming salamat.

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