{"id":1123,"date":"2006-12-20T13:47:56","date_gmt":"2006-12-20T05:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quezon.ph\/?p=1123"},"modified":"2015-11-24T02:36:28","modified_gmt":"2015-11-23T18:36:28","slug":"pichay-to-dpwh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quezon.ph\/2006\/12\/20\/pichay-to-dpwh\/","title":{"rendered":"Pichay to DPWH"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The papers report<\/a> the President’s about face<\/a> and renewed determination<\/a> to pursue amendments, while Sec. Michael Defensor plays interference and is trying to play good cop<\/a> again.<\/p>\n

Archbishop Oscar Cruz is fed up<\/a> and thinks a proper rally should be planned.<\/p>\n

Marichu Villanueva<\/a> reports possible cabinet appointments:<\/p>\n

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There are very strong indications that third-termer Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. of Surigao del Sur is up for a possible posting as new secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The incumbent DPWH secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is being groomed to become the new Defense secretary.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

She also suggests Bro. Mike Velarde shafted the bishops:<\/p>\n

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Given these usual changes in key Executive posts, there is reportedly so much “sniping” taking place as some influential groups try to cash in their chips after the feared “people power” crowd did not materialize in the “prayer rally” at Luneta last Sunday. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) did not join it, while the El Shaddai charismatic movement of Bro. Mike Velarde merely deployed an obviously token delegation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Newbsreak<\/a> reports scuttebutt on the next Supreme Court appointment:<\/p>\n

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Two names have been floated for the post: Solicitor General Eduardo Nachura, and chief government corporate counsel Agnes Devanadera. Both are not just sympathetic to charter change; they actively campaigned for amendments at some point in their careers in public service.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

My Arab News<\/em> column for this week is Arroyo Should Not Misread Opposition to Charter Change<\/a>. The Inquirer editorial<\/a> does a post mortem on the Sunday rally and points out how the bishops played into the administration’s hands. Dan Mariano<\/a> explains why he thinks the House proposal for amendments isn’t actually dead.<\/p>\n

Jarius Bondoc<\/a> hopes Rep. Abraham Mitra’s constitutional convention bill will receive legislative support. On the surface, the bill sounds reasonable enough, but even public openness to a convention sees to be waning in view of the administration’s zigzagging attitudes to amendments. (See EC Salcedo’s online proposal<\/a> for a convention).<\/p>\n

Manuel Buencamino<\/a> combines typhoons, rape stories, and winking bishops into an allegory of modern times. Mike Tan<\/a> has an interesting column on baksheesh.<\/p>\n

In Thailand, apparently there was a stock market crash, and things have been complicated by controversy surrounding the drafting of a new constitution. Tulsathit Taptim<\/a> considers one proposal, to have a non-elected prime minister, sheer lunacy.<\/p>\n

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Technorati Tags: CBCP<\/a>, Charter Change<\/a>, constitution<\/a>, people’s initiative<\/a>, philippines<\/a>, politics<\/a>, president<\/a><\/p>\n

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