Liza: No Constitution is perfect

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined members of the Philippine Constitution Association (PhilConsa) in celebrating its 65th anniversary recently.

PhilConsa is a non-profit, non-partisan civic group whose members include legal experts, business figures, and civic leaders.

The group was formed in September 1961 to defend, protect, and preserve the Philippine Constitution as the fundamental law of the land.

“Honored to be part of Philconsa’s 65th anniversary celebrating the men and women who continue to serve as vanguards of our Constitution,” Mrs. Marcos said in a Facebook post.

The First Lady recalled how PhilConsa influenced her to pursue a law career.

“When I was a law student, my Constitutional Law professor, the late Fr.Joaquin Bernas, S.J., made us memorize each and every Article of the Constitution. And he would always began with the Preamble: “We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society… and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace…” Mrs. Marcos posted.

She also vividly recalled Bernas’ teaching that the Constitution is not flawless and may be amended when necessary.

“Now that I’m a lawyer — and a proud member of PhilConsa — I find myself remembering Father Bernas’ lessons even more. In his own words, “no Constitution is ever perfect,” and that a Constitution “is always a work in progress,” she added.

“Perhaps that is why, 65 years later, Philconsa’s work remains just as important: to protect the Constitution, uphold the rule of law, and keep its principles alive for every generation of Filipinos,” the First Lady said.