It is going to happen. The constitutional order will be reformed.

Preliminary meetings were held over the weekend involving individuals and groups who want a shift to a parliamentary and federal form of government. The mood was upbeat.

The most important idea that gelled the last weekend is that this should be done quickly. If we tarry, if we hew and haw, if we drag our feet this thing will never get done.

Amending our 1987 Constitution is the only way we can begin to fulfill our lofty vision to “build a just and humane society” and “a democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace.” Otherwise, our people will conclude that this constitutional vision in the Preamble of our 1987 Constitution “is a myth and a deception.”

Philippine politician Rodrigo Duterte, who has an unbeatable lead in unofficial tallies in the country’s presidential race, will push to rewrite the constitution and change to a federal system of government, his spokesman has said.