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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 8) — President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish of amending the Constitution to abolish party-list groups allegedly supportive of the communist movement does not sit well with some lawmakers and political analysts.
Duterte in a November 2020 meeting with lawmakers “suggested” that constitutional provisions on the party-list system be changed, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has disclosed. Duterte believes party-list lawmakers, particularly those from the minority Makabayan bloc, are legal fronts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing New People’s Army. The Makabayan bloc has decried this red-tagging.
This allegation should not lead to charter change, Michael Yusingco, legislative and policy consultant, told CNN Philippines. "Amending the constitution must come from a thorough and rational discussion of reasons."