A native
language of the 1987 Constitution
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is the highest
law of the land at present. It contains the superior law which the Filipino
people are obliged to conform with. The native language in our country is
Tagalog. However, when our Constitution is made, it was produced in English
translation only. If the Constitution is for the Filipinos, then why does it
not have a Tagalog translation which is our native language?
Senator Loren Legarda proposed that our
Constitution should have an Arabic, Spanish and Tagalog version provided under
Senate Bill 2862 which she has filed at the Senate. She stated that our
Constitution, as the highest law of the land must be understood by ordinary
people in his own language and dialect. The proposed bill involves public
welfare wherein many Filipinos will benefit if Bill 2862 becomes a law. It is a
common knowledge that English is the universal language. But not everyone is
able to understand and express themselves in a language that is not his own.
Especially, when that language is different from what he has known even before
he was born. Bill 2862 is essential to public welfare because the majority
class of Filipinos came from unfortunate families who are not capable of
acquiring education because of poverty. A tagalog version of our Constitution
will be a great help to our fellow countrymen to prevent them from being
deprived of their rights just because they are not able to understand the
Constitution.
Every state has their own Constitution which
their people are bound to follow. It is a right of every citizen to understand
his/her rights in order for him/her not to be suppressed of every prerogative
he/she may enjoy. We must embrace change that would lead to betterment of our
laws. But there is no law if there are no citizens. Therefore, we must conform
our laws to the best interest of the public. If the 1987 Constitution is made
for the Filipinos, then it must be translated into our native language.
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