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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Philconsa: Let’s fight for constitutionalism

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PHILIPPINE Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez vowed on Monday to keep the oldest association of legal luminaries the “vanguard and warden of the Constitution” to guarantee freedom and espouse good governance in the country.

“So long as there is vicious or invidious politics in governance and/or incredible politicians with incredulous political purposes, Philconsa shall remain the vanguard and warden of the Constitution,” said Romualdez, a former Leyte congressmen who served as independent bloc leader.

Philconsa anniversary. Philippine Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez (left) and his wife Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez chat with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who was guest of honor of the 55th anniversary celebration of the Philconsa at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Ver Noveno

Romualdez made the pledge during Philconsa’s 55th year anniversary celebration at the Diamond Hotel Grand Ballroom on Roxas Boulevard in Manila, led by former chief justice Reynato Puno, who is also Philconsa president emeritus. 

Romualdez called on Filipinos to renew the spirit of loyalty and patriotism to defend and protect the Constitution for preservation of freedom and the practice of transparency and good governance guided by the wisdom of the Supreme Court that is free from the tentacles of politics.

“Philconsa encourages and invites other professionals imbued with patriotic duty and necessity to observe, defend and preserve the Constitution, to join in Philconsa’s crusade to impregnate and promote better understanding of the Constitution as the touchstone of what is legally right and morally correct in the governance of the state and socially beneficial,” Romualdez said.

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Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno was the guest of honor on the occasion that was also attended by former first lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, retired Court of Appeals Justice Manuel Lazaro, Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Juliette Gomez Romualdez, former senator Francisco Tatad, Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor chairman Terry Ridon, Budget Undersecretary Agnes Joyce Bailen and others.

In his speech, Diokno lauded Romualdez and Philconsa for protecting the country’s Constitution over the last 55 years.

“It gives me great pleasure to be in the presence of my fellow advocates from the legal profession. Congratulations to Philconsa for 55 successful and productive years of staying true to its mandate: to defend, preserve and promote the Constitution for the common good,” said Diokno, a co-petitioner of Philconsa in questioning the controversial pork barrel system during the Aquino administration before the SC. 

Romualdez said the “anniversary of Philconsa is the propitious time to renew our faith and resolve that Philconsa will continue its patriotic mission and vision; to express my gratitude to the members who, in their respective fields of expertise, have unselfishly and wholeheartedly supported Philconsa in its nationalistic undertakings; and to remember and honor the distinguished and respected 25 past Presidents of Philconsa who, in their respective terms, shepherded the Philconsa.”

The former House opposition leader in the recently-concluded 16th Congress recalled that Philconsa was organized in 1961 when when he was barely five years old.

“It has had a long journey punctuated with varied stories of how it was able to achieve and pursue its mission and vision to defend, preserve and protect the Constitution, or more importantly, promote   and inspire obedience of the Constitution at all times and for all occasions,” Romualdez said.

“During my watch, the Philconsa has the providential opportunity, in different fora, to inform, educate and inspire the public to understand and appreciate the Constitution to impact on good governance. To live the spirit of the Constitution, one must know the importance and relevance of the Constitution; one must believe and have faith in the Constitution; and one must be ready to live, to

fight and even to sacrifice life so that the Constitution remains virgin and untarnished by the cankerous or caustic politics and politicians,” Romualdez explained.

Romualdez said Philconsa is inspired and guided by the wisdom of the SC that is not contaminated by politics.

“Philconsa has humbly and modestly progressed/advanced in the pursuit of its mission and vision. However, the complexity of politics and the paradox of numerous and varied politicians make Philconsa’s task endless,” Romualdez pointed out.

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