'Na Edsa-puwera tayo'? New ad criticizes 1987 Constitution, indirectly calls for cha-cha
A now-viral television commercial is criticizing the 1987 Constitution, claiming it worsened the lives of Filipinos even as it makes a subtle call for constitutional reform or charter change (cha-cha).
The minute-long ad aired on the evening newscasts on Jan. 9.
“[S]a pagbuo ng 1987 Constitution, na Edsa-pwera tayo,” the voice-over in the ad says. “Sa 1987 Constitution, natigil ang asenso natin.”
It then mentioned different sectors and how these supposedly didn’t progress due to the 1987 Constitution. It also mentioned how certain entities in the country’s education, agriculture, and economic sectors underwent “Edsa-pwera,” a play on the word “etsapuwera,” or exclusion from society, as several actors depict protesters.
The ad also made references to EDSA, the metonymy for the People Power Revolution, the series of nonviolent protests in February 1986 that led to the departure of the dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. (The 1987 Constitution was ratified a year after EDSA.)
“Magandang edukasyon daw para sa lahat pero pangako, nanigas,” the voice-over in the ad says. “Ang pagpasok ng edukasyong de-kalidad, Edsa-pwera.”
“Masaganang agrikultura daw para sa lahat. Ngunit pangako, napako,” it says. “Ang pinayaman ng Constitution, mamamakyaw at negosyante. Ang magsasaka, Edsa-pwera.”
“Malusog na ekonomiya daw para sa lahat. Pero pangako, nahinto. Monopolya ang naghari,” it says. “Land ownership ng foreign investors, Edsa-pwera.”
The ad then called on the public to make a move in “correcting” the constitution, as it showed protesters converging.
“Panahon na para gumalaw. Panahon na para ayusin,” the voice-over says, “itama ang di patas na 1987 Constitution.”
A text in uppercase flashes on the screen: “Gawing saligang patas ang saligang batas,” followed by a “This is a paid advertisement” notice. It didn’t specify those behind the ad.
Several netizens took to X to air their grievances.
“Some people really want to push charter change — by hook or by crook. This ad was shown at every commercial break of TV Patrol,” one user said. “It’s just funny that they don’t have the guts to show who they are.”
“Not only coward, but also wrapped in disinformation,” another user said.
“This is such a stupid ad. I was repulsed when it was first aired a while ago. Economic progress was EDSA-pwera due to the Constitution? Only an idiot would say that,” another one said.
But a version of the ad identified who was behind it: “This is a paid advertisement by Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices HPL Building, 69 Sen Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.”
According to its website, its clients in the government include former senators Ping Lacson and Teofisto Guingona; Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez; the late Puerto Princesa Palawan mayor Edward Hagedorn; Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez; Panganiban, Catanduanes Mayor Robert Fernandez; and Tugaya, Lanao Del Sur Mayor Alber Balindong.
PhilSTAR L!fe reached out to Gana Atienza Avisado Law Offices, but has yet to receive a reply.
Cha-cha pertains to the political and legal processes that amend provisions in the 1987 Constitution.
There are three ways to push for cha-cha: constitutional convention (con-con), in which delegates from various fields will oversee proposals; constituent assembly (con-ass), in which incumbent lawmakers will take charge; and people's initiative, a petition from 12% of total registered voters.
Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution states that it cannot be amended within five years following its ratification nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. The constitution is now 36 years old.
There have been calls for cha-cha from the administrations of Fidel Ramos to Rodrigo Duterte, but they never came to fruition.
Before the turn of 2024, lawmakers under the Marcos Jr. administration said amending the 1987 Constitution would be among their priorities.
Recent reports show that several forms are circulating in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, asking constituents to sign a petition calling for amendments to the 1987 Constitution.