Here is a PowerPoint presentation by Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. which is very educational, indeed. His presentation is on Charter Change and the nature of parliamentary versus presidential, and unitary versus federal.
Charter Change MBC-1.ppt
Here is a PowerPoint presentation by Christian Monsod:
CSM presentation ver3-1.ppt
In it, he explains not only his opposition to Charter Change as proposed, but also indicating the need to find a peaceful, constructive, solution to the political crisis. I have told him both privately and in meetings (as well as other people) that I find myself agreeing with many, if not most, of his proposals. We differ on a couple of things: he says there hasn’t been People Power because people don’t support it or no longer believe in it -I only partially agree: I do think people believe that it’s the instrument of last resort, and with no clear alternatives in sight, people think it’s too risky; we also disagree on the President’s “end game” -he thinks her only interest is in lasting until 2010; I remain convinced she has no option but to stay in office beyond that, not only because by so doing, she would keep her enemies at bay, but because she is thoroughly convinced at this point, that she is only one qualified to lead (include the personal “to hell with all of you!” feeling a survivor like her must have by now).
But in my case, whatever differences in opinion I might have with Monsod’s views shouldn’t detract from his larger message, which is, that the public have firmly demonstrated their opposition to extreme solutions -transitional councils, coups, a dictatorship- and their dislike for Charter Change is it’s being attempted at present.
Do we want Charter Change? Then elect a Constitutional Convention. An end to the crisis of legitimacy? You don’t need the surveys to realize there are only three Constitutional options: resignation (which requires the President’s agreement), impeachment (prevented so far); a snap election, which is a pretty popular solution, is possible, but getting the President and others to agree might take a convincing statement from the electorate, say in the 2007 elections.
Technorati Tags: constitution, people power, people’s initiative, Philippines, politics
I looked at Fr. J. Bernas presentation and can’t help myself but say that this should be the way Cha-cha is explained to everybody. Not the haphazard way being done (supported by GMA’s admin) now.
An Ultra-potentially Mega-disastrous Scheme
Duplicitous (JdV) ways, devious (Puno-DILG) moves, surreptitious (Abalos) steps, treasonous (Venable) deals, dubious (Pirma PI) means, suspicious (No El/term limit,) ends, deleterious (anti-patrimony) contents and perilous (in crises) timing are issues concerning the proposed charter change that contribute to making the entire ‘cha-cha now’ scheme ultra-potentially mega-disastrous for our nation, seriously jeopardizing the welfare of our people.
Has the administration’s ‘charter change now’ agenda become not just a political but also a moral issue that the people must counter at every step and on all fronts?
Snap election: A Moral Imperative
“Most agree that: Our country is divided. There is a need for unity around peaceful and constitutional processes.
Solutions offered so far serve personal or group interests and endanger not strengthen democratic institutions.
There is growing alienation, even distrust, of democratic institutions and tendencies to test constitutional limits.
At stake may really be future of our democracy.
Perhaps its time for the vast majority who are silent to speak out.†Christian Monsod
“The next 76 days will show whether this was a bogus prophecy. Or will the end of July see a nightmare: a force-fed constitution would install, in a sham parliament, unelected representatives who, for the next three years, would further impoverish a nation sedated by entertainment.What a measly epitaph that’d make for us: ‘They saw it coming. But they neither had the wit nor grit to resist the plunder of their children’s futures.’†Juan Mercado
“What is the alternative to Arroyo? Quite simply, (clean) elections.
First off, it answers the problem of an illegitimate ruler. The problem, to repeat, is not Arroyo per se; it is that Arroyo has no electoral mandate…(Clean) elections affirm the most basic principle of democracy, which is that the voters and only the voters may choose the leader they want.
An (clean) election is the only viable alternative there is. All other alternatives simply usher us to a dangerous state of affairs where the elite or middle class, or their representatives in various organizations or institutions of society, may feel free to trot out the best person to lead this country and seize power for him. Which is what’s happening now, many groups and individuals wracking their brains to see who or what can best be installed in place of Arroyo by force or farce. That is not democracy, however that is inspired and driven by the noblest intentions. That is tyranny.
I grant elections can just bring us back to where we were before Arroyo … Elections don’t seem to offer much, except that all the others offer even less.†Conrado De Quiros
“If we agree on this with the House, we will file a joint resolution to shorten the term of both the President and Vice President so that it will usher in a fresh election…. Then the question of illegitimacy and mandate will be laid to rest,†Angara told reporters.
He said the joint resolution would form the basis for amending the Charter, with the amendments “strictly confined to the two propositions.â€Â
“That, however, is not the end of the search for a constitutional way of vacating the Office of the President. Just as the people, through their ratification of the Constitution, fixed the term of the President, so also, in the exercise of their sovereign authority, the people can unfix the term through a constitutional amendment.
As a matter of fact, I have been shown a bullet amendment which seeks to declare the Offices of the President and the Vice President vacant. For good measure, an accompanying amendment seeks to reorganize the Comelec. If these amendments are proposed to the people and are ratified by them, then we can have presidential elections before 2010. Fat chance, however, that this will happen.†Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J.
“I think we will have our own signature campaign for an amendment to the Constitution allowing snap elections, if a majority in the Senate call for snap elections,†Osmeña said.
“…a snap election, which is a pretty popular solution, is possible, but getting the President and others to agree might take a convincing statement from the electorate, say in the 2007 elections.†MLQ3
JMakabayan,
To me, the whole Gloria scam plus all the others you mentioned are no longer just political issues, they have become moral issues.
When the likes of Gloria – who has no palabra de honor, has no qualms about cheating, lying, stealing, says that an issue that concerns the entire Republic is FOR the good of the nation and the people, it is impossible to believe her because she and her friends, minions and fellow scoundrels try to subvert the Constitution, have no respect for the rule of Law, shove their charter in the throats of the citizens to make sure that they have a free ride in a so-called parliament for the next three years while Gloria toys and palys footsie with the population and our institution by brandishing her CPS, her EOs and potentially, another insane declaration of emergency which she may do again on the basis of some perverted belief that the military and the Communists/NPA have started to fall in love with each other, so, like this charter gravy train/PI baloney, etc., everything that this cabal of abusers and thieves do today and will do tomorrow become and will become MORAL issues and are not or will not just be political in nature.
Why? Because Gloria Punggok and her cabal of thieves, liars, cheats, are PERVERTING the nation – asking the nation to be like them: thieves, liars, cheats, brazen scalawags of the lowest category.
There is really no other way to fight these scoundrels except by meeting them head on armed with the only weapon that can destroy them, physical and MORAL COURAGE!
So the Senate has agreed to meet with the House to discuss Charter Change. It seems it was at the behest of the House. I see this as a capitulation of the House. But we weren’t born yesterday. It’s a one step backward, two steps forward strategy.
They know they can’t have Charter Change through the People’s Initiative. It’s too cumbersome and can easily be derailed. I think they now also know what the Supreme Court’s decision will be on the PI.
So now they go for the Con-Ass. But they know they need the Senate’s nod for that. So make friendly overtures to the Senators (whom they had gleefully and venomously mocked and insulted). Really disgusting bunch.
And Gloria is there to play hostess via the Ledac to wine and dine the Senators which only added to the mockery. After which the Senators accepted the invitation to start talks on the Cha-Cha. Disgusting.
The Senators have the upper hand now and yet they’re falling into the trap. How can you trust this House and Malacanang caboodle of slithering snakes? They’ve got something up their sleeves, you can bet your month’s paycheck on that.
The ball is in Senator Gordon’s hands now. He’s supposed to meet with his counterpart Committee Chairman on Constitutional Amendments in the House, Cong. Jaraula.
You trust vipers, Senator Gordon? Unless you’re a snake charmer yourself, keep your distance.
Do right by the Filipino people who voted you into office. Don’t budge an inch.
Speaking of con ass (what a con and an ass or con-ass Gloria and JdV make just borrowing the term from Ellen Tordesillas, I just read in the Inq7 that con ass par excellence Arroyo spoke before a gathering of members of the Legislative Excecutive Development Advisory Council today (Tuesday) telling them of her belief that “principled politics†will make her day!
The news report quoted Arroyo as saying “I open this meeting with an open mind and a firm belief that principled politics shall pervade our endeavor.â€Â
I almost fell off my chair! This woman, who lies, who cheats, who steals, an unprincipled woman beyond human recognition continues to thwart the rule of law and bamboozles the poulation with her version of the Philippine Constitution speaks of “PRINCIPLED POLITICS�
How can one so midget or punggok in morals with nary a good bone in her body could even utter the word PRINCIPLED or PRINCIPLE?
OK, OK, I know she can utter any word she wants because she has forked tongue (like when she said ‘I won’t run in the 2004 elections’ or when she lied about God speaking to her, etc.) but just the same, it is gobsmacking in the extreme to hear one who doesn’t have an iota or clue as to the true meaning of the word should brandish it as if she invented it!
Let’s see whether she’ll pass the principles test.
According to http://www.sla.purdue.edu/academic/engl/theory/psychoanalysis/definition states that principle is defined as a fundamental truth or law upon which others are based.
Well, basing it on Purdue’s succint but highly explicit dogma-like definition of the word principle, it seems Gloria has just failed the PRINCIPLES test! Yes, miserably fialed the test. “Fundamental truth or law be damned†Gloria might as well say and half demented Brenda Santiago will bow to her …
Amen, Anna!
Took the words right out of my mouth. Couldn’t have said it better. The gall of this woman to speak about “principles” and “statesmanship” and doing it with a straight face. She who has been twisting, bending, stretching, breaking all principles and laws from A to Z.
And did you see the Congressmen and the Senators on TV being chummy chummy again in Malacanang patting and rubbing each others’ backs?
Sure, sure..they were just being civil and practicing good manners and right conduct. That’s what sends me the shivers. They’re on their way to cutting a deal and our throats along with it. Goodbye Impeachment, Investigations and Inquiries. Hello, Cha-Cha! Hope I’m proven wrong.
Good heavens, Phil! But of course, she’s courting and bending over backwards in front of and behind the legislators today armed with a singkamas and a stick BECAUSE of the upcoming IMPEACHMENT TRY (which apparently has just been pre-empted by another con lawyer Lozano, anyway)…
By golly, you are right! No wonder this moral punggok who styles herself as the president of 80 million Pinoy souls is being lovey-dovey with the Senate and with Brenda!
Anyway, Phil, for one who is pint-sized or two foot nothing, ain’t she one gargantuan sly extraordinaire?
But watch her and how her nostril flare when she’s trying to sweet talk our hapless legislators. Her nostrils flare and ooze venomous smoke and her eyes dart from one direction to the other while batting her eyelash in deep thought, “Iisahan kita mamaya, tang…mo!”
Anna, I just love your literary style..especially when you’re seething mad.
Oh it is almost one year since the so called consulatative commission was supposed to consult the taong bayan.
People have forgotten what a waste of resources this group was.
Hi Phil,
No question about the Anna’s being sooooo articulate.
Anna,
(this is semi private like a hospital room)
I just leaned what the term IRIS meant after so many months.
I may still be wrong but I saw a keychain with the Iris markings and it was from Thomson CSF.(no need to elaborate)
Hi a(rticulate) de brux ,
“To me, the whole Gloria scam …have become moral issues.†“… fight … armed with … physical and MORAL COURAGE.â€Â
“Just as the people, through their ratification of the Constitution, fixed the term of the President, so also, in the exercise of their sovereign authority, the people can unfix the term through a constitutional amendment.
As a matter of fact, I have been shown a bullet amendment which seeks to declare the Offices of the President and the Vice President vacant. For good measure, an accompanying amendment seeks to reorganize the Comelec. If these amendments are proposed to the people and are ratified by them, then we can have presidential elections before 2010. Fat chance, however, that this will happen.†Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J.
Let’s SNAP – Say No to A Phony (de Quiros) Glu,.. We will, we will SNAP GLU! To the tune of ‘Rock You’
Phil, you’re asking “You trust vipers, Senator Gordon?†(Some Senators might really need some friendly reminders.) [email protected]
[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],(serge)[email protected], [email protected], [email protected],(mar)[email protected], (recto)[email protected], [email protected], (kik)[email protected],
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected],[email protected],
[email protected],[email protected],[email protected], [email protected],[email protected], [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]
“… there are only three Constitutional options: resignation (which requires the President’s agreement), impeachment (prevented so far); a snap election …” MLQ
Under the Constitution, it was Congress that “proclaimed elected” Arroyo.
Congress is the “legitimizer,” the catalyst to “closure.”
Does the power vested in Congress to “proclaim elected” carry with it the power to “review” that proclamation (like to appoint, to remove)?
If it has that “power,” Congress should–this time around–summon the members of the board of canvassers, compare their thumb prints with those affixed in the contested certificates of canvass (the only way to authenticate the results), and compel them to testify if the thumb prints do not match.
Unlike signatures (which can be faked or forged), THUMB PRINTS (like DNA) DO NOT LIE.
Why go to the trouble of electing people for a constitutional convention.
Are we supposed to “trust” them more then those who would form a constituent assembly who where just the same elected?
Are not the present elected representetives legitimate enough since they where elected anyway.
Are we supposed to really see new faces in a constitional convention or will they just be the same ol faces or relatives from the same political elite?
Perhaps, we are just doing things out of form & titles.Just like religion that is characterized by ritual but is wanting in subsatnce.
Are we really concerned w/ a form then subsatnce?
Given the extremly dificult economic times, will we be spending money wisely?
How free wheeling will a constitutional convention be w/ our penchant for endless debates & losers never accepting defit?
My position is. Before we start dreaming & imagening, let’s get real first & factor-in the doable & affordable.Because money spent for a constitutional assembly can be better spent for much neede social projects to help the poor.
Money for a constitutional convention is serious big money that can go a long way.
Hihihi!
Thanks for the inspiring words of praise (ahem, ahem) to Phil, JMakabayan and to Karl.