Just like the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Filipino chaplaincy in Belgium lambasted House Resolution 1109 which advocates Charter Change via Constitutional Assembly.

Rev. Fr. Raymund Gaspar, chaplain in Brussels stressed that they are not in favor of Charter Change.

“Katulad din po ng posisyon ng Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, kami rin po ay nagpapahayag ng pagtutol sa pagbabago ng Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas dahil hindi napapanahon. Hindi ito ang kalooban ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Gaspar stated.

He emphasized that the government should focus on something that would help boost the country’s economy rather than push for charter change which will allow President Arroyo to extend her term beyond 2010.

“Ang aming hinihingi sa pamahalaan ngayon kundi ang bumuo ng mga programa para sa lalong ikakaunlad ng bansa. Let us build a republic, not a dynasty,” he said

Gaspar also called on all Filipinos in Belgium to support the Overseas Absentee Voting in order to exercise their right. He reiterated that voters should vote wisely.

“Piliin po natin ang mga kandidato na may magandang track record, malinis at tapat na nanunungkulan. Huwag po nating sayangin at lalong huwag po nating ipagbili ang ating boto. Gamitin po natin ito para sa pagpili ng mga kandidatong magpapaunlad ng ating bayan,” he said.

On the other hand, Rev. Fr. Jorgedy Bago, chaplain of Antwerp, Belgium reminded Filipinos that the church shall always respect the will of the people.

“Patuloy na gagabay ang ating inang simbahan para sa malayang pagpili ng ating sambayanan,” Bago said.

Meanwhile, some Filipino faithful who requested anonymity believe that the 2010 presidential elections should come first before the amendments of Cha-Cha which according to them should be well planned and studied.