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Journalists, netizens react to latest charter change ad aired over primetime newscasts

Ron MiaBy No Comments5 Mins Read

Several journalists and netizens have expressed their reactions to the recent charter change commercial, which was broadcast during the prime-time slots of news programs.

On January 9, a particular advertisement with the tagline “ESDA-pwera” was featured on two major networks, GMA and TV5, during their prime-time news broadcasts. The commercial aimed to garner public support for the proposed charter change or constitutional amendments. It argued that the existing 1987 constitution failed to adequately address the people’s needs, thereby advocating for its amendment.

The initiative for Charter Change is currently underway in the House of Representatives, spearheaded by Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez contends that the economic provisions of the 1987 constitution should be revised to facilitate the increased participation of foreign investors in the country.

Nevertheless, many media figures and online users swiftly criticized the advertisement, labeling it as a propaganda campaign designed to enhance the chances of Charter Change (Cha-Cha) being accepted.

In a tweet, former PTV4 broadcast-journalist Jules Guiang expressed his concernss about the ad, saying ‘Oh their ‘EDSA-pwera’ narrative is now out, right in time when this admin didn’t make People Power Anniv a holiday and when they’re planning to dump the current consti.’

TV5 anchor, Gretchen Ho also reacted, tweeting a shocked emoji as she retweeted the ad’s clip.

Twitter personality, Kristoffer Pasion also shared his sentiment. He said while he agree that the 1987 constitution needs to be updated, he questioned the timing of the ad, its funders and the ultimate benefactor of the move.

“I agree that the Constitution needs to be updated since it has not been amended for over 30 years, BUT I have so many questions: 1. Who funded this ad? 2. Who benefits from “changing” the consti? 3. Is #PH ready to PAY the high cost of initiating the amendments? MAHAL ‘YAN.”

Meanwhile, during an interview by Sherrie Ann Torres with Atty. Alex Avisado from the Gana Atienza Avisado Law firm, the entity responsible for financing the “EDSA pwera” advertisement, he asserted that the primary objective of the ad is to initiate a public discourse on charter change. Addressing inquiries about the funding, he categorically denied any use of public funds, emphasizing that the entire campaign was privately financed.

Former Congressman Erin Tanada however believed that there’s nothing wrong with the 1987 constitution, instead it was the politician who failed the Filipinos.

“There is nothing wrong with the 1987 Constitution. It hasn’t failed the Filipinos. It is the majority of the elected officials in the Congress from 1987-to the present who failed the Filipinos by putting their interests ahead of those from the marginalized sectors.”

@jellygelabeans also slammed the ad saying people shouldn’t be fooled by it cause its main agenda is to prolong politicians power.

“Trash propaganda . Lets not be fooled. They only want to change the 1987 constitution so they can run for relection. That is the plain truth.”

Peter Cayton also tweeted, asking who really is behind the ad given the expensive rate of primetime spot.

“Amending the constitution for what and for who, really? Primetime ads are expensive, much more when done in multiple channels. So for who’s benefit would this amendment be, really? Blaming EDSA already implies the link of the ad funders.”

Cleve Arguelles meanwhile believed that this latest move to change the constitution will again fail as the other moves in 1997, 1999, 2005 and 2016.

“There must really be something different with the air they breathe in Batasan and Malacañang. The current ‘EDSA-pwera’ People’s Initiative is just the latest iteration of successive unrelenting attempts to change the 1987 Philippine Constitution. As in the case of 1997 Ramos’ PIRMA, 1999 Estrada’s Concord, 2005 Arroyo’s Sigaw ng Bayan, & 2016 Duterte’s Federalism ChaCha, the latest ascendant political faction is one again tempted to try to sell to the public that the way to combat economic stagnation and maldevelopment is thru Charter Change. A hard sell from the start and with a suspicious Senate always a roadblock, none of them succeeded in convincing Filipinos to dance to their ChaCha dreams.”

@jomskie01 also shared fear about the move given the current composition of the admin.

“Omg this ad is very dangerous, imagine having ammendments of the constitution under Marcos-Duterte regime? Also the mere fact na sobrang mahal ng ads na ‘to since it was aired during primetime newscasts and during the traslacion of the Nazareno ang daming budget ah?!?!”

@kinnagayosa meanwhile called out the network’s that aired the ad saying its embarrassing for them known the 1987 consitution gave back the media freedom lost during the Marcos dictatorship.

“This ad saying that EDSA people power just made the country worse following the 1987 consitution. If it weren’t for EDSA democracy is nowhere to be found in this country. Embarrassing for the networks to even be airing this kind of propaganda.”

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A frustrated journalist who finds the realization of that dream through blogging. Writes about politics, entertainment, sports and personal stuffs. The writer behind the blog site NiteWriter.

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