Yesterday residents of voting age were called to a synchronized barangay assembly nationwide to discuss primarily the issue on whether they agreed to change our form of government from Presidential to Parliamentary. Agreeing would mean a change in the Constitution. Under our laws, the Constitution could be changed through a Constituent Assembly of the members of Congress, Constitutional Convention, or through a People's Initiative like the signatures to be generated during the assembly yesterday. The first is a controversial one, the second is costly, thus the government opted the third mode.

Whether the activity succeeded in getting the support of 12% of the total voters of the country or 3% of each congressional district, (the minimum needed for the People's Initiative to prosper), is yet to be determined. However if the discussion in the assembly in Brgy. Tiptip in Tagbilaran City is any gauge, government will need more time to explain the need for a charter change, much more the change from Presidential to Parliamentary. The discussion sometimes because emotional but also hilarious at times. People should be given more time to study the issues involved.

A major change that involves the life of not only today's Filipinos but especially the future generations of Filipinos need not be rushed. This is why people resent changes like this because they feel that it is being forced upon them. It is when people feel that they are being genuinely consulted that they willingly cooperate. There are pros and cons that must be carefully weighed and discussions that just scratch on the surface are not enough. The decisions on such major issues must be a result of discernment and understanding of the issues. A one day affair cannot ferret that out even if issues are being discussed in the media.

The people must understand clearly why the Presidential form of government won't work anymore in the Philippines . There are models of the Presidential form of government that are great success and there are models of Parliamentary form of government that are also not working so well. So what is so special about the one being proposed?

Proponents must point out why mere passage of laws would no longer correct the defects that they see in the Presidential form of government. Under a Parlimentary form of government, what exactly will happen to local government units? What will be the set up of government in the local level? Will the political lculture of Filipinos be changed by the Parliamentary form of government? This is what people want to know because most of them are tired of changes that only affect the collars. These are the same political culture and practices that have brought so much woe for the people.

Minus these clarifications the one positive note that people can expect from the charter change is a new hope that is inherent in every change. Hope inspires and hope strengthens. In the meantime let's keep our ears open to the discussions and our hearts open to the explanations.