After Con-Ass, a Cha-Cha Free-for-All

Published on June 3, 2009

Wednesday’s railroading of HR 1109 was met with indignation by Filipinos, many of whom took to the streets despite the rain to denounce the legislators who approved the resolution. Several groups critical of the Arroyo regime also met yesterday to plan their moves in the days ahead. A number of protest rallies have been scheduled beginning Thursday.

By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Bulatlat

MANILA — Last night’s railroading of House Resolution No. 1109, which allows Congress to convene into a constituent assembly to propose amendments to the Constitution, has made possible a free-for-all for all sorts of changes to the country’s fundamental law.

HR 1109 seeks to convene House of Representatives “for the purpose of proposing amendments to, or revision of the Constitution upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members and that upon its being convened shall adopt its rules of procedures that shall govern its proceeding.”

It does not specify what amendments are to be introduced.

Many fear that the passage of HR 1109 was just the first step to amend the Constitution to give President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the opportunity to reign longer.

The railroading was met with indignation by Filipinos, many of whom took to the streets on Wednesday despite the rain to denounce the legislators who approved HR 1109. Several groups critical of the Arroyo regime also met yesterday to plan their moves in the days ahead. A number of protest rallies have been scheduled beginning Thursday.

“The problem with HR 1109 is that because it says nothing, it says everything,” said Bayan Muna (People First) Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares in an interview with Bulatlat.

“Speaker Prospero Nograles’s HR 737 at least specifies that its proposed amendments are limited to the economic provisions,” Colmenares pointed out. “With HR 1109, you can’t tell what the intention really is.”

Aside from the easing of restrictions on foreign investments, allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have also been pushing for either an extension of her term or a shift in the form of government, from presidential to parliamentary.

Several opposition legislators have alleged that the vote on Wednesday was made on orders of Malacanang and that, allegedly, money exchanged hands between the administration and its congressional allies.

In a hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments last May 12, La Union Rep. Victor Ortega said that once the shift from presidential to parliamentary government is effected under an amended Constitution, nothing can prevent anyone from running for prime minister. “Should we become parliamentary, President Gloria can run in her district, (former) president (Joseph Estrada) can run in San Juan, (former) president Cory (Aquino) in Tarlac and former president (Fidel) Ramos in Pangasinan.”

There have been several campaigns lately advocating for a shift to a parliamentary form of government. Last May 27, a pro-Arroyo group calling itself Mahal Ko Bayan Ko placed paid advertisements in two major dailies calling for a shift to a parliamentary system.

“We firmly believe the time to shift to parliamentary form of government is now,” the group said in its advertisements. “The present Administration’s term is coming to an end. If we do not change to parliamentary form of government now, it will never be done and we will remain doomed with the presidential form and all its flaws forever.”

Arroyo’s term expires next year. Under the present Constitution, the president is not allowed to run for reelection.

Taken in the context to perpetuate Arroyo in power, Colmenares said the events last night take on a sinister form. There is nothing to stop the constituent assembly from introducing whatever amendments it pleases, he said.

Fr. Joaquin Bernas, dean emeritus of the Ateneo de Manila University law school and one of those who framed the 1987 Constitution, decried what he believed was a violation of the Constitution. “They are toying with the Constitution. They have been fooling the people,” Bernas was quoted as saying by gmanews.tv. He said Filipinos should be outraged by the passage of HR 1109.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr., in a statement, said any resolution without the participation of the Senate “is the dying gasp of a terminally ill House that wishes to bring the nation to the brink of upheaval.” Other senators have lambasted as well the resolution.

Meanwhile, Ibon Foundation’s research head Sonny Africa said the railroading of HR 1109 could bring about greater political instability.

“Last night’s railroading by Arroyo allies sets the stage for heightened political instability because it confirms Arroyo’s unrelenting effort to remain in power,” Africa said in a separate interview.

“The tipping point leading to rapidly accelerating outrage and protest will likely be reached once it becomes clear that the 2010 elections and the desired removal of Arroyo from power won’t be taking place after all,” Africa said.

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2 Responses to “After Con-Ass, a Cha-Cha Free-for-All”

Elevic Pernis Says:
June 9th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
My goodness! Special interests are trying to block what could be a start of progress in this country!

Can’t these people see that political institutions are coterminous with the Constitution, and that the only way to overhaul a political system is by revising a country’s constitution!

Ang kikitid ng utak ng mga tao na ito.

Philippine Charter Change: It’s NOW or NEVER!
John Mark Says:
June 17th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Pag parliamentary na bibilhin lang ni Gloria boto ng mga congressman para sya maging Prime minister for life, ang utak talaga. Gising na taong bayan.