In their mad rush to keep themselves in power, the Philippine House of Representatives most of whose members are prevented by the 1986 Constitution from seeking a fourth three-year term are pushing to amend the charter. Supporting them is no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo whose term also expires four years from now, and without the possibility of reelection.
***** The most convenient way to
circumvent this prohibition is to amend the charter and switch to a
parliamentary form of government. Under this system, all of them could run for
reelection as much as they want to. They claim that the parliamentary form will
do away with the paralysis that blocks progress under the present system, stop
corruption and get the country moving forward.
***** The Catholic Bishops Conference of
the Philippines
said this move was “scandalous, fraudulent and immoral” and called on the
people to rally against it. Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, CBCP president,
said it is not the Constitution that needs to be changed, but the people in
government who are corrupt. Having failed to change the charter by People’s
Initiative and Constituent Assembly, the President and her minions in the House
are turning their sights to the Constitutional convention. They are prepared to
circumvent all current laws to achieve their aim, even to the point of making
the Senate a nonentity and the people as innocent bystanders.
***** Many have forgotten that when
President Ferdinand Marcos wanted to perpetuate himself in power, he forced
Congress which was then dominated by his party to call for a Constitutional
Convention to change to the parliamentary system arguing like Arroyo that the
present system is a stumbling block to progress.
***** Had the bishops not reacted, Arroyo
would have cancelled the May 2007 election in which millions of overseas
Filipinos are now eager to participate.
***** What is most disconcerting to
Filipinos at home and abroad is that President George W. Bush does not seem to
know what is happening in the Philippines
today. He does not seem to be aware of Arroyo’s short-circuiting of democracy
and the continuing human rights violations.
***** When Ambassador Willy C. Gaa early
this month presented his credentials to Bush this month, the US president said the Philippines
“is a shining example of democracy” in Asia.
This reminds one of what the President’s father, George H. W. Bush, then
Reagan’s Vice President. During a call on dictator Marcos in Malacanang, George
H said:“We admire your adherence to democratic principles!”
***** Is history repeating itself?
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