THE nationwide campaign for constitutional change has drawn the support of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who even offered to host a constitutional convention in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Magalong made the commitment after he met with Pilipino Tayo movement lead convenor and former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Greco Belgica and former Anti-Red Tape Authority undersecretaries Eduardo Bringas and retired brigadier general Carlos Quita.

The movement aims to advocate for a constitutional convention to enhance local government autonomy and bolster economic growth.

Magalong said the city is ready to lead the dialogues aimed at reshaping economic policies and strengthening local governance structures.

"Pati ako mismo, kung minsan, nafru-frustate ako dito sa campaign natin against corruption (Even I, sometimes, get frustrated with my campaign against corruption)," Magalong said in an interview.

"Nabigyan mo ako ng pag-asa, may paraan pa pala. Ito'y sa pamamagitan ng constitutional convention (You have given me hope that there is another way. And this is through constitutional convention). So, go ahead, we're here to support you."

Magalong said there is a need to empower local sectors through constitutional reforms by amplifying their voices in the constitutional discourse.

"Sa tingin ko, nararapat lang na constitutional convention ang gawin, dahil mismong mga tao, lalong lalo na yung mga nasa laylayan (I think constitutional convention is the right way to do it because the people, especially the marginalized) they will get involved in the drafting, crafting of the new Constitution," he said.

"All sectors must be well represented. Let us allow the people to choose who will represent them in the constitutional convention."

Belgica, meanwhile, said Magalong's support was a "big boost" for the movement.

"Mayor Magalong's reputation as a strong, honest, and principled anti-crime and corruption leader adds strength and character to the group," he said.

Belgica said that politics and personal interests are set aside within the group as they unite under the common call for an inclusive constitutional convention.

"Our desire is to bring together the most respected reformative leaders of the country to lead the call for national reform through a constitutional convention," he said.

"The constitutional convention is for the Filipino, not for the politicians."

The Pilipino Tayo movement's visit to Baguio City on July 1 marks the beginning of a nationwide journey to gather support for constitutional reform.

The group is also planning to hold a constitutional convention to be participated by representatives from each sector and province in the country so they can draft a proposed Charter which would better address the current needs of the country.

The drafted Constitution shall be submitted to authorities and presented to the people, Belgica said.

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