Before I begin my commentary on the critical issue of our State Charter, please allow me to write a few words on the fascinating event that transpired last week on the confirmation of the appointment of Amenah Pangandaman as Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management. Some friends asked why I wasn't there. I didn't register formally. One must do that to get invited by the Commission on Appointments.

I watched comfortably at home the confirmation proceedings on CA's website. I was rewarded with the opening statement of Amenah. She laid out DBM's goal "of uplifting the lives of Filipino people and spurring growth and development in the farthest areas." She followed this up, with an inspired statement, perhaps the content of both her vision and mission as she moves on to commence her new exalted post as DBM chief, so far, her greatest career achievement.

"I believe in the vision of this administration for inclusive and sustainable growth and I am determined to do my best, along with the other economic managers, to achieve our dream for this country of eradicating poverty and achieving upper middle-income status; to achieve the dream of a better Philippines for all, including for those in the farthest areas which are often neglected, like Mindanao where I am from."

"Mindset, the phrase whole-of-government is the approach I fully embrace and espouse, how we manage our resources, and uphold the interest of the nation and our people."

The foregoing "masterpiece-policy-statements" of Secretary Pangandaman were not only the cause of great elation among her listeners but it did dash away the apprehension of local government executives: The governors, the mayors, and even the punong barangays that the devolution law and the Mandanas-Garcia ruling may never be implemented.

Their implementation has been delayed for decades because of the catastrophic financial disasters precipitated by dysfunctional agencies and department of DBM and the distorted sense of values of the national leadership from 2010 to 2016, which extended up to 2021 because of conflict of interest caused by the Aquino appointees holding constitutional offices who annoyed and hindered the progress of the Duterte administration from accomplishing its developmental programs and projects.

Amenah said the digitalization of bureaucracy is her priority, which means reducing paper works for administrative officials and delivering faster results saving time and resources. Digital technology can dramatically improve public sector capacity and accountability in an otherwise weak governance environment.

The endorsements of Senate President Miguel Zubiri and Senator Christopher "Bong" Go sufficed. "Her father is from Marawi City. Her mother is from Tarlac City. Her great grandparents are from the royal houses of Maranao royal houses of Marawi City," Zubiri added. He further said, "I know the integrity of this lady, and she is the easiest to talk to. Alam ko may isang salita po si Secretary Mina," Zubiri added while addressing his colleagues.

"I wholeheartedly place my full trust and confidence in Secretary Pangandaman… she will bring meaningful change and tangible results that will greatly benefit the department," Senator "Bong" Go expressed.

On Thursday, we will discuss our topic, the 1987 Constitution, metaphorically, treat it as if it were a fortress like the Bastille in Paris, France that fell on 14 July 1989, after losing its strength and respectability as a symbol of royal authority.

Or a person in authority who lost his moral ascendancy and respectability and power to command for violating Section 29(1) of Article VI of the 1987 Constitution which strictly prohibits that "no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of the appropriation made by law," and for breaking this simple law, he created a monster, the DAP that became the core of the controversy and subject of the challenges posed by nine petitioners with the tenor that DAP violated this simple law.