“The amendments are unnecessary, not urgent, and could worsen the situation of the Filipino people. The process is also alarming since adding the provision ‘unless provided by law’ gives Congress the power to revise or even reverse the constitutional provisions through ordinary legislation.”

IBON Foundation notes that the logic behind the push for economic Cha-cha is “fundamentally flawed.” “More foreign investment does not mean development,” IBON states, adding that despite the increase in annual foreign investment inflows since the 1980s, this did not translate to growth and development for the Philippine economy.

“We maintain that the two rallies are not expressions of the genuine calls and struggles of the Filipino masses”

“Instead of devoting our land and resources to the genuine development of the domestic agriculture, economy, and industries, ChaCha will allow more foreign-owned extractive industries, logging, ecotourism, real estate projects, expansion of agro-corporation plantations, and other business operations intended for profit-making.”