Related article: ex CJ Puno: It’s time for charter change
Cha-cha tune is being played again and we should be wary and alert.
Last Sunday, a friend working in the House of Representatives alerted us that Gloria Arroyo and her allies are ready with the charter-change operation and they are just waiting for the right time to start it. She said Arroyo has the “budget” for it.
Arroyo has already made the first step when she filed on her first day as Pampanga 2nd District representative last July 1 a set of bills including House Resolution 8 calling for charter change through a Constitutional Convention. It was co-authored by her son, Camarines Sur. Rep. Dato Arroyo.
The objective, of course, is to change the system of government from the current presidential to parliamentary and install Gloria Arroyo as prime minister.
Monday,Rep. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar announced that he is set to file a bill calling for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention (con-con) in May 2011 to revise the 1987 Constitution. He hopes that his bill would be passed before Congress goes on its summer vacation in April, a referendum on it could be held in 2012.
It was reported that Evardone got the support of fellow lawmakers Karlo Nograles of Davao City, Dan Fernandez of Laguna, Rogelio Espina of Biliran, Rene Relampagos of Bohol, DaKila Cua of Quirino, Romero Quimbo of Marikina and Alan Velasco of Marinduque for charter change.
I found it alarming. I called up Evardone, a colleague in Malaya’s guerilla days during the Marcos administration and asked him if his proposal is part of the plan to return Arroyo to power.
Evardone, who used to be with Lakas-NUCD and a reliable ally of Arroyo, is now with the Liberal Party and has been supportive of Aquino’s legislative initiatives, said he raised the idea of charter change because of Aquino’s statement that he is not seeking an elective post in the 2016 elections.
He said he is not primarily for a shift to parliamentary form of government but neither is he averse to it. He said even if we retain the presidential system, we can take a look at the system in other countries (United States) where a vote for the President is also a vote for the vice-president or in Europe where if the candidate who got the highest votes did not get a majority vote, there would be a run-off election.
Evardone said he remembers that during the presidential campaign, Aquino said he would create a group that would study the possibility of changing the Consitution. “This is the best time to do charter-change because if he delays and do it towards the end of his six-year term, he would be suspected to doing it to extend his stay in Malacanang,” he said adding that he can use his popularity now to push such controversial topic.
I said, isn’t that neat, using Aquino’s popularity to push for Arroyo’s agenda?
Evardone vehemently denied being part of Arroyo’s alleged operation. “I will oppose, object, reject and campaign against provisions that will cater to certain political interests, political personalities and vested interests.”
I’m not ready to put my guard down. We have seen how Arroyo schemed her way to power and stayed there for nine years without having been elected by the people. We have seen how she destroyed institutions to suit her interest. She maybe out of Malacañang but her tentacles are still intact. Look at the Supreme Court. Look at Congress. How did her son, Mikey, get to represent the tricyle drivers and the security guards? Look at the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan and the deal they forged with plunderer retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.
Although both Arroyo and Evardone called for the creation of a Constitutional Convention, probably to make it a little palatable to the people, a source said they may push for Constituent Assembly if they don’t see vehement opposition from the public.
Remember several attempts in the past to convene a Constituent Assembly with the Congress voting jointly to overwhelm the Senate which they expect to oppose it? If they succeed in doing that now with Arroyo’s money, there’s a good chance that they would get the approval of the Corona court on the interpretation of the Constitutional provision of “ two-thirds vote” if the issue is brought to the Supreme Court. The next battleground would be the public in a referendum.
I would not want to risk a referendum on charter change. Better stop it NOW.
Statement of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan:
We should not look at ChaCha as the magic wand that will solve our country’s problems. We are still struggling to implement our laws as they are, what makes them think that when a new set of laws under a new constitution is put in place, these new laws will then be effectively and fully implemented?
Even under a new constitution it will still be political will and genuine leadership that will ensure that the laws are implemented in full. Changing our constitution does not guarantee anything.
In the end, what we need is determined and effective leadership that will vigorously implement our laws in full without fear or favor.
Gloria’s lapdogs are at it again. As long as the bitch is visible we should not let our guards down, kahit butas-daga papasukan ng unana!
Of course, Pnoy won’t seek a second term, that’s unconstitutional and the man will never do ala-Gloria. Evardone’s explanation was so lame and stupid!
If Gloria was not in Tongress, I’d say go and explore Chacha. Pero nandyan ang bruha and she’s known to seeing even the tiniest hole and carefully maneuver it to favor her interests. Bitch to the end….
For the first time, I will agree with Kiko Pangilinan. Kahit corny, uulit-ulitin ko pa rin: We don’t need Charter Change, what we need is Character Change.
Dito ako magaa-approve sa iyo, Tongue. 🙂
Constitutional Convention is more favorable to Gloria’s cabal. If you notice, most reps are sons, daughters, spouses, or immediate relatives of former Arroyo henchmen. The big guns are sitting it out and waiting for the next elections to return.
Chacha will provide them the opportunity to focus on their campaigns (in case of elected delegates) to build a solid force to ram through with provisions that will favor a return to power of the unelected and unelectable Arroyo. She gets to run a minimal campaign later for Prime Minister, financially aided by the P2.6B Noynoy has allowed her this year and maybe next year too, and until the ratification/PM election comes.
Thanks, chi.
Evardone? Now with Noynoy?
There is an Ilokano saying (pangit ang pronunciation) which translates to:
Ang kalabaw kahit damitan ng ginto, kalabaw pa rin.
Anak ng @#$%^&*. 2011 na si Gloorya pa din ang pinoproblema natin. Sarap talagang sakalin!!! Grrr!!!!
Sarap tirisin ng parang kuto si bulilit.
Sabi sa inyo dapat na ikulong yan si Gloria ng mawala na tunay na nanggugulo sa bayan!
Ang laki ng kasalanan ni Gloria sa Bayan, wag niyo kalimutan!
Bitayin na yang Tyanak!
Remember the Igorot who attended Bill Clinton’s lecture in G-String but was turned away by Clinton’s aides? (see Ellen’s entry http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=13738) He finally got an apology, not from citizen Clinton but the US Gov’t.
Even under a new constitution it will still be political will and genuine leadership that will ensure that the laws are implemented in full. Changing our constitution does not guarantee anything.
In the end, what we need is determined and effective leadership that will vigorously implement our laws in full without fear or favor. – kiko
Agree. Also, we have a system in place (i.e. Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary System). Problem are NOT our constitution and laws. Problems are those elected and appointed personnel manning those institutions.
just look at our Sandiganbayad supervise (daw) ng korte suprema, lantarang bayaran at intentional na pagdedelay ng mga kaso ni isa walang na disiplina o yung inasunto na nagkasala halos lahat ay laya! one good example is the garcia case. Also, kita ninyo naman kung pano nakulong ang magdalo, against the law na dahil sa delay o sobrang pagkakakulong pinapirma pa na guilty sila para lang makalaya. hustisya nga! ni sila di sumusunod sa batas.
kung titingnan mo naman ang legislative, they don’t even know how to stand-up sa tama tapos kunsintidor sa mali dahil lamang sa pork barrel ng bawat congressman at senadores na halos di na na-audit. One good example ay impeachment ni bansot at merci. Daang milyon bawat isa bayad sa pakikisama sa mga nakaupo sa executive at judiciary.
Tapos sa executive naman halos ibigay na lahat ang pabor sa mga malalaking negosyo. instead na balansehin ang pamamahala for the good of many alang ginawa kundi konsintihin at ka partner pa sa walang hustisyang pagtaas ng koryente, toll, etc. One good exampkle as MERALCO bilyon doblado kada tatlong buwan ang tubo. tapos yung iba naman sa executive puro dilehensiya ang ginagawa ni isa alang nakulong kahit lantarang pag nanakaw ang ginagawa sa tulong ng husgado.
This cha-cha is only a ploy for them to be in power againand again..mga gutom na gutom pa rin!!! the stupid thing is ginagawa na nila ang kawalanghiyaan gusto pa bigyan sila ng tao ng mandatos para maging legal ang kanilang pamamahala..stupid stupid stupid!!!
patawarin kayo ng Diyos..mga mapag panggap na uri!
Palagay ko, o mas-mabuti pang pag-usapan ang ” JURY SYSTEM ” ng Amerika, kung papa-ano ito mangyayari sa Pilipinas, kaysa usaping CHA-CHA..Ang una ay sandata
ng mga mamamayan, kontra sa abuso-krimen ng mga pamunuan
na nasa gobyerno. Ang Cha-cha, ay para sa mga kurakot
na mga namuno sa gobyerno, kung pa-ano sila maka-lulusot
sa mga ginawang pag-labag sa kayamanan ni Juan de la Cruz,
at lalo nilang aapihin-lapastanganin ang mga mamamayan.
Marahil na-iipit na sila o nararamdman ang “PNoy Power” sa
loob ng mahigit 6-na-buwang panungkulan, katulad ng Garcia
case, sa pag-palaya ki Sen. Sonny Trillanes-Magdalo, saka sa 43-morong na pinag-kukulong, at ang ampatuan genocide trials, kaya pinipilit nila ang mag-patug-tug uli ng cha-cha. Pag-nangyari, sayawang “puto’t-Pidal-Garci-Garcia, etc “, Pilipinas, saan ka patutungo ng landas ??..
Saan ba nangaling itong si Kiko? Sino ba ang tinutukoy niyang naniniwalang magic wand ang cha-cha? Wala ng katapusan yang cha-cha isyu hanggat nariyan si Gloria at barkada niyang laging nakasahud ang mga kamay. Cha-cha o cha-ching na parang tunog ng cash register kapag natupad ang gusto nilang mangyari.
Sa kabilang dako, dito sa atin, nagbabayad ang mga nurse graduates sa ospital para magtrabaho doon. Baliktad mundo dito sa pinas.
Nasaan na ang mga trabahong pinagyayabang ni Penoy na sabi niyang biyaya ng bisita niya sa Tate at iba pang bansa? Negative bokya ata score niya dito.
Nagbayad na ng tuition at room-and-board para maging nurse, tapos, magbabayad ulit para makakuha ng posisyon sa ospital? Ganoon na bang kabaligtad and patakbo? Iyong mga doktor, nagiging nurse. Tapos iyong mga nurse, nagbabayad para maging nurse — ano ba naman iyan!!!
If we can’t agree on charter change then maybe we must speed up/improve on decentralization.
We badly need to shift the center from Manila to the provinces.
If charter change is too controversial then maybe we could try ammending the certain provisions of the constitution.
marc, that is the most logical, expeditious, and least expensive alternative – to change only provisions that need to be changed, not wholesale.
But the intentions of the proponents will always be suspect, and people may be right in imputing malice on these reps, for as we know, they represent not their constituents’ welfare but of a select few to which they are connected.
ChaCha proponents since Erap’s time, for example, have trumpeted scrapping of the constitutional provision that bans foreigners from owning land.
I’ve been telling here for just as long, how foreign investors I personally know never looked at ownership of land whether commercial/real property or farmlands as imperative to harvest profits from their investments but far more important to them are favorable business climate, less red tape and corruption, predictability of government policies, cost of doing business and availability of affordable yet highly-productive manpower.
It is in these areas that our Asian neighbors are beating us where attracting foreign business locators are concerned. This must be the focus of government and not mere land ownership which they don’t prefer anyway, but good for ChaCha proponents out to sell their dummy services to foreign syndicates and money launderers.
Related article: Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno: It’s time for Charter Change
If it gets to the referendum stage, I’m very worried. Take note of this report:
favorable business climate, less red tape and corruption, predictability of government policies, cost of doing business and availability of affordable yet highly-productive manpower.
————————
I agree.
Outsourcing, leasing, contract farming, is a more cost effective approach in the light of the current situation.
What we need to look into seriously is come up with “made in the philippines” products that can compete in the global market,not just rent taking, exporting skilled manpower and professionals or even selling our patrimony as real estate.
We have to focus on “productivity”, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Para sa akin walang dapat sisihin kundi ang mga sumuporta noon para patalsikin si Erap ng sa ganun ay umupo si Gloria.Napatalsik nila si Erap ng ganun kadali..pero si Gloria ay hindi…..Pinatikim kasi kung gaano kasarap ang maging pangulo ng bansa kaya ayun ayaw ng bumitaw..At kung totoo man na naghahangad talaga na maging prime minister ng bansa si Gloria ang masasabi ko ay sadyang wala na yatang hiya na natitira sa pagkatao niya..marami na ang ayaw sa kanya pero babalik pa rin..anong klaseng tao siya..hindi pa ba siya kuntento na naging pangulo ng bansa ng halos 10 years. Mabuti kung sa kamatayan ng tao ay madadala ang pagka lider niya..kaso hindi eh.
At para naman kay Rep. Evardone sana ang atupagin na lang niya maging maunlad ang samar. Gumawa siya ng hakbang para pagtulungan na ang Samar ay umasenso. Napakadaming kalsada doon na hindi pa sementado.Paunlarin ang Samar. Maglagay ng isang malaking hospital..kasi napakadaming nagkakasakit na dinadala pa sa tacloban na mula sa Samar. Malayo ang biyahe mula samar papunta Tacloban. Sa pagbiyahe lang dagdag gastos na kaya dapat ang Samar magkaroon ng hospital na kumpleto talaga sa mga kagamitan.
Isa pang dapat niyang atupagin ay kung paano malilipol ang mga NPA doon sa samar. Para sa akin iyon ang mabuti niyang gawin para lalo siyang hangaan ng mga taga Samar. Kasi nariyan na siya sa administrasyon.kung pondo ang kailangan ay madaling siyang mareleasan.
@ 20 Ellen
Insensitive Pnoy! It only shows that what was said and done are just for show if true! There goes CHANGE as promised! Ouch! Anyway, after many months Pnoy administration could have done a lot already at least by starting something realistic to revamp the way governance is implemented in our country but looks like what he is saying seems contrary to choices to key positions he is implementing not just because of Atty. Macalintal but the many personalities he is considering if not placed in key government positions. His actions does not jibe to what he is saying all along and the true picture becomes clearer as days goes by. The issues hounding us is CORRUPTION and INJUSTICE. No need for Cha-Cha in my view. The system works if not for the many personalities who are NOT true to their oath. I felt betrayed!
arroyo is quite bold.she seems to have no fear of anything at all? no shame either…what aces does she have up her sleeve? someone must take the fight to her already, this administration has been put on the defensive and out of balance far too long already.Its time to put the pressure on gloria for a change so she can’t regroup her forces.
Personally i don’t understand the need for these arroyo recycled people but if the president knows what he’s doing, its his call. Might be that arroyo got the legal heavy weights before and these guys are professional enough to know when their services with a client ends and begins…”trabaho lang walang personalan” so to speak. Otherwise they destroy their name and reputations, not a sustainable practice in the long run.
@24 Juggernaut
Pandak could have been insignificant by now if not for pnoy recycling her people! stupid! gayahin ko na lang si tedanz? pwe!
arvin95,
oo nga. Samar hasn’t changed at all, its still a depressed area. So many idle lands, the living conditions are still the same, you’re not sure of the sources of livelihood, fishing (still marginal), farming? (typhoon highway).20 years ago, the child malnutrition rate was a stagerring 8 out of every 10, and that was just the reported, there were more births done by hilots than by qualified health personnel which accounts for high mortality rate of infants also (add the mothers due to infection). Smuggling is still one of the leading if not “the” leading industry.Probably a close second to being a rich source of “maids”, dancers, massage with a happy ending workers, Quezon Ave night walkers, etc.
Evardone must be smoking something not tobacco based?
Olan, just to clarify ha. PNoy is against cha-cha now.
You are right. Macalintal does not represent change that PNoy promised. He should not have been even included in the list of candidates for Comelec chair.
Keep the Cha-Cha gates closed.
Trojan horses, Trojan horses all around.
Prancing and waiting for the Hobbit Queen
To fill their troughs once again.
The gates might be opened. The gates might be opened.
Oh what wonderful news to their ears.
Happy days will soon be here once again.
Admin matters. Arvin and Jug, only one period is needed to end a sentence. Take note I edited your comments.
Sorry ha. Para akong writing teacher. Trabaho ko kasi mag-edit.
That’s for clearer and easier reading.
Makalintal as Comelec Chief?
Another Trojan Horse prancing and salivating
For another humongous slurp at the Queen’s stables.
Oh, happy days, happy days for Trojan horses.
I can’t possibly understand how difficult it is to change some provisions in the constitution that some people would want a complete overhaul.
I have been an avid fan of the saying: “quick and crude is better than slow and fancy”. works every time, i tell you. in the fast and frantic world change, is inevitable! but there are “monuments” that will take time to move, so in order to validate a proposed change, a model is made and reviewed on a regular basis. Why can’t the Philippines pick a model society/town/province and apply these changes, and when it works then change the constitution or whatever. It doesn’t cost us anything but an assurance that an endeavor such as this will not fail us again. Just a thought.
The US constitution was adopted in 1787 and still being referred to as the supreme law of the land. Maybe full of holes but it works!
tiago,
Your suggestion is workable if these change proponents are really looking after the welfare of the country, they want to change the constitution to protect, perpetuate, aggrandize, etc., what they love most – themselves. I’d rather look at Palafox urban planning, Haydee Yorac’s NUC, and might even prefer UP student council members’ suggestions for changes in the charter if we ever get to that point.
Exactly, Jug,
Just as i mentioned, because there is a constant review, these faults will surface and corrective actions can be taken before any permanent change is made, even in the constitution. Todays proponents of change maybe looking after their interest, but they will only succeed if we allow them to succeed. What concerns me is that we are again venturing into unknown territories and, as we have witnessed time and again, are bound to commit mistakes.
Arvin,
So true! I agree with you completely. Those who conspired to remove Erap and install Gloria as President are the ones responsible for producing a monster!
Ngayon, tila pinabayaan na lang nilang makatakas si Gloria sa lahat ng kasalanan nito!
It is interesting that certain quarters that have no qualms about mutinies and the rule of the mob a.k.a People Power are against an overhaul of the 1987 Constitution. Their argument is basically this: Our system is not faulty, only the leaders are. On this point, I disagree.
My argument is that a person’s propensity to corruption increases when he (or she) gets into power, and the amount of power that he wields. To cite an example, we have the biblical incident where even Satan found it a good idea to use the attraction of worldly power to tempt Jesus in the desert. On this basis, I contend that people in power are naturally corrupt.
The degree of corruption also increases with the power vested on the person. But what confers him the powers? It is the Constitution!
Our current Constitution is such that the Philippine President is one of the most powerful leaders in the world, and this reason, among others, makes our system one of the most corrupt. Furthermore, it is not only corruption that is the problem here, but whether our leader can properly discharge his functions. If he is not capable, then he is easily swayed and we are at the mercy of those people he happen to listen to. It is these unelected people that effectively executes the power, with the President only their puppet.
We see that corruption is systemic and it cries for a systemic solution. Why not have powers shared among different parties? Change our Constitution so that we are not ruled by a single person, but say a coalition. Grant the coalition the powers that were previously enjoyed by a single president. The coalition could be composed of the various different political parties and the membership of each party in the coalition is based on the number of votes the party wins in an election.
Plus I would like to have local governments to have more rights on their finances. No pork barrel!
If Macalintal gets appointed by PNoy as Comelec chair, allow me Ellen to make the most crisp PI! Kapag yan ay nangyari, gagayahin ko na rin si Tedanz and Olan…Pwe!
What is Noynoy thinking by even considering Macalintal to join his administration, nau-ulol na ba sya?!
Basta nasa Tongress si Gloria, nakapwesto na at ipu-pwesto pa ni Noynoy ang ibang galamay ng bitch, hindi lang liko-likong landas ang tatahakin natin, meron pang poisonous tinik at kinakalawang na pako along his patuwad na landas.
nice try NFA este luli but no cigar. any system will work actually as long as the ones implementing it will do so with the welfare of the whole in mind but if we have the likes of gloria et al, she could even corrupt the vatican.
there is no perfect system as these are run by imperfect men and no amount of checks and balances can prevent the experts of these systems to look for and take advantage of loopholes.
this talk of changing to parliamentary system or a hybrid thereof is dangerous at this time precisely because of its proponents.
one man, one vote, its still the great equalizer. mob rule? would you prefer extending martial rule?
we stick to the one we have and make it work, then study what needs to be changed in the light of our unique culture, geography, and other pertinent considerations rather than copy some system somewhere. then again, these calls for charter change are just attempts to let in the trojan horse, misdirection, misinformnation, if we make the mistake of letting our guards down we get shagged in the behind by you know who.
#25, olan. Pandak could have been insignificant by now if not for pnoy recycling her people! stupid!
—
Mismo!
Is Noynoy testing the waters? Not because he gets high numbers in trust ratings he can just push down our throats the sons of bitch!
Macalintal to Comelec…that will be most insensitive of Noynoy!
#32. Tiago – January 12, 2011 4:39 pm
The US constitution was adopted in 1787 and still being referred to as the supreme law of the land. Maybe full of holes but it works!
—
Yes, because the leaders and citizens respect their Constitution, unlike in Pinas na may Gloria Arroyo the number one mambabastos ng sariling Konstitusyon!
Pnoy should put an end to the talks of changing the Constitution. Arroyo + Macalintal = Corona(han) na naman si Gloria! Putsa!
Ex-CJ Puno is a con-artist, an excellent actor pa! Ayaw-ayaw kunwari sa ginagawa ni Gloria noon, tuta rin naman.
A, ewan ka Noynoy!
Will Cha-Cha cures personal Greed? will it cures the penchants for breaking the Law? will it cures plunder and prevent ‘cooked up cases”? I don’t think so…these and more are the issues that need to be addressed at present and in utmost priority by the President if he wanted to be different from the rest…Cha-Cha could be something to think about in later if the country is ready for it…right now there are more pressing issues to deal with…in a few months the country will be importing its staple Rice..prices are going up along with transportation cost, cost of living will surely follow, still many are underemployed and many still don’t have jobs, countries which employ many OFWs have economics difficulties of their own, especially the European countries which are in financial difficulties and this will have a great impact on the country’s remittances and overall gross income…so it is not time to even think about cha-cha…
…shove down our throats… (for #39).
@vic,
There is no cure for greed, but there are two things that can control it. One is the pathological lack of appetite or drive, the other is a strong personal will or principle. Temptation tends to weaken the will and the weak will eventually succumb to it. What we need is a political system where such temptations are minimal. Currently, the environment is like sumptuous dinner with a diabetic.
Ellen, is it true that the Balay group is pushing Makalintal for the post to foil possible appointment of FPJ’s election lawyer Sixto Brillantes? Nasagap ko kay Mang Juan Pinoy.
“Will Cha-Cha cures personal Greed? will it cures the penchants for breaking the Law? will it cures plunder and prevent ‘cooked up cases?” – vic
The mere fact that these congressmen are salivating and “atat na atat” to rush the Cha-cha means NO. It doesn’t and will never cure anything that is wrong in our system of government. Only they the congressmen has the antidote to cure themselves of greed and lust for power. But sadly, they don’t feel like they need that antidote. 🙁
Macalintal as COMELEC chief? WTF is PNoy thinking?
I have two names; both with undisputed respectability.
RAVS (Rene Augusto V. Saguisag) and VV (Justice Vicente V. Mendoza).
I agree Mike #47. Teka, hindi ba kilala ni PNoy si Macalinta(l), kung kaninong abugado ito? Aba, kailangan pa bang mag shower ng flyers (mala-confetti) sa Malacañang para malaman ni PNoy kung sino-sino ang mga shortlisted candidates? Or sadyang, inu-uto si PNoy ng mga taong nakapalgid sa kanya? as Mike has blurted, WTF is PNoy thinking?
Re #45, I find that preposterous.Brillantes is also lawyer of PNoy.
“If Macalintal gets appointed by PNoy as Comelec chair…. ” chi
Bugok na bugok talaga yang Pangulo niyo ….. 🙂 🙂 🙁 🙁
Looks like the return of the comeback. Simeon Marcelo, Romulo Makalintal, sino pa?
Lubusin niyo na. Appoint the most respected lawyer in town – Mike Pidal.
Di kaya si Garci na lang … mas oks pa ….. Puweeeee!!!!! Bugok talaga … hahahahahaahah
“Look at the Supreme Court…Congress…Ombudsman …Sandiganbayan ”
Meron pa ………….. DOJ!!!!!
Cha-cha goes to Congress, then Congress passes it to the electorate for a referendum. COMELEC chair (Makalintal?) with it’s stooges counts the ballots.
The verdict? Your guess is as good as mine. 🙁
Tiago @ 32…Canada survived with the l867 BNA imposed by the British until the Charter of Rights and Freedoms came to life in l982 which is just the embedding mostly of the Bill or Rights into the constitution plus a little extra to which the laws of the land now is based upon. It is where the laws, old and new are tested for its constitutionality..those that met the challenge remains and those that do not are taken off the books (null and void)…and the proposed and the new ones are measured to meet the future challenges…
in reality some legislature even ask the opinion of the High Court in its jurisdiction of the constitutionality of proposed law before going ahead enacting it…Saskatchewan just did this week and the Province Highest Court said that the proposed law that will exempt the Commissioner to refuse officiating marriage to same sex on Religious Ground is unconstitutional…that is only in Saskatchewan…only Criminal law is uniform in Canada…all other like Family law is different from provinces to provinces…but the Constitution is for the whole country.
#50. Thanks Ellen. Ganun naman pala at parehong election lawyers ni Noynoy sina Brillantes at Makalintal, e sino kaya na naman ang super bagyo na padrino ni Makalintal at nasa kanya ang pabor ni Nwoy na maging Komolek chair?
#51. Tedanz, hahaha! Palagay ko ay hindi bugok, malambot lang ang balls, 🙂
Ellen, I just read this news from http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
LP-Balay group pushing GMA poll lawyer as Comelec chief – Osmeña
MANILA, Philippines – An administration senator said on Wednesday the Liberal Party-Balay (LP-Balay) faction in Malacanang wants the lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be the next chairman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
I am beginning to think that PNoy is compromised. He is giving too many concessions to the previous regime. He should have fought to remove Renato Corona. He assigned another Puno in DILG, appointed Davide to the Truth commission and now wants Macalintal to the Comelec. Something is going on.
Did PNoy really win the presidential race? Everyone assumed the contest was fair because it was computerized. With the checks removed, how can we be sure? Or maybe its personal in nature. With all the spooky agencies gladly working for her, I hope he wasnt baited.
What exactly do they mean by “It’s time for charter change!”
After reading all the comments (and the speculations), I find the phrase pregnant with several meanings, eg., system is so messy time to put order, Gloria is setting up Aquino and is calling all hands on deck — strike while the iron is hot (meaning, Aquino is waffling, so let’s go for it), period in RP is boring so let’s have fun, etc, etc.
Question is Why is it time for charter change? Why now? Why not yesterday or the day before yesterday, why not in 2, 3 or 4 years… why is it time to change charter today?
I would like ex-CJ Puno to answer that question and if he can explain it satisfactorily then I’ll re-think my position and vote aye or nay (Cross my heart, I will! 😛 )
Puno on Tuesday said that the Constitution had spawned a frail state, one crippled by a weak electoral system, social inequalities and a politically vulnerable judiciary.
I would agree to ex-CJ Puno… nitong mga nagdaang mga issues, nakita natin kung gano kalaki ang problema sa judiary… mukhang walang solusyon… ginagawang legal ang obvious na illegal…. walang magawa legislative and executive branch… kung cha-cha ang sagot para maresolba ang katiwalian sa hudikatura… sasayaw ako sa tugtog ng cha-cha…
pero, pero, pero at pero… bago mag cha-cha.. kailngan munang maipakita ni PNoy na kontralado nya ang situasyon… lalo na si Gloria… unahin muna nyang patalsikin si Merceditas at makasuhan man lang si Gloria…
si davide natanggap ko pa… pero si makalintal… siyeeet!!
Its time we pretended to be educated, intelligent, and grounded individuals. Getting angry and mouthing expletives or derogatory remarks pointed towards the favorite target (the president) I believe have been done to death already since the past administration and didn’t really work.
Has anybody even bothered to check Puno’s reasons for charter change and tried to understand it? Lets humor him and eveyone else proposing this change and pretend we understand English and can comprehend the political and social concepts before we make a decision.
He has some valid points. The administration now has met blank wall upon blank wall due to the limitations in the charter, the loopholes of which have been mastered by Gloria’s sharks.
If we limit ourselves to Gloria and the “fear” that is being generated around her, we will never see the light. There are so many horror stories, so many confusing issues, information – that it looks contrived already. The more muddled the issue, the more convoluted, there will be more theories than facts – and thats the work of an expert operator. People are made to “fear” otherwise relevant issues and maybe even try to bring back the good old days talk. There are no good old days, there is only the present and how we deal with it.
Here’s something I read from today’s paper…
Past attempts to amend the Constitution failed because of widespread public suspicion that such change was meant to achieve no higher purpose than to prolong the stay in office of the incumbent president, from Fidel Ramos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Today the pendulum has swung the other way, with President Benigno Aquino III disavowing any desire to remain in Malacañang even one minute longer than his term requires—a promise everyone can believe from the most reluctant candidate for the highest office Filipinos have ever known—and yet the prospect of Charter change remains as remote as ever. And this is because Malacañang is not only distancing itself from fresh efforts to change the Charter being mounted by its allies in Congress led by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, but has actually dismissed the move as a distraction. Malacañang has said the administration would rather focus on alleviating poverty and promoting public-private partnership to spur economic growth. Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said nobody has been able to convince the President of the urgency of changing the Charter or showed that “not doing so will place the country at risk.”
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20110113-314136/Let-the-debate-begin
If the best way to restore the institutions that have been coopted by Gloria et al is by changing th charter, then by all means lets take a closer look at it.
Beats mouthing inane expletives and what nots, besides, some of us have to work with this government because we are actually working, we can’t afford to just blog at leisure only – we live in the real world. 🙂
If we do need to change the charter, now is the best time logically speaking, since we the current president has no ambition to stay longer than necessary. In fact he had no ambition to be president to start with.
Decentralization first under the current constitution before charter change.
We need to localize governance. If we cannot do this under the current constitution, then ammend key provisions.
Enough of Manila-centrism. Enough of Malacanang-centrism. Sometimes I wonder if the President truly has enough powers to govern 7,107 islands.
walang problema sa pagpapatugtog ng cha-cha… ang problema… yung mga taong nasa loob ng ballroom… kapag pintugtog ang cha-cha, walang sinumang makakapigil sa mga nasa loob sa mga gustong sumayaw… lalo pat galante kung umorder at malaki kung mag tip sa mga waiter, dj at bouncer…
kapag nasipa na palabas yung kinakatakutan natin nasa ballroom… kahit anong tempo o version pa ng cha-cha ipatugtog nila… hindi tayo kakabahan at lahat magiging masaya…
ang tanong, napapanahon ba cha-cha… ang sagot ko.. hindi!!! dehado tayo dyan… dahil nasa ballroom pa yung magaling sumayaw at galanteng malakas mag tip!!!
I have to agree with you perl, we have to make sure this lady won’t be able to worm her way in. 🙂
marc,
parang hindi ka pilipino? if you had any experience handling asians you’ll probably be aware that we are not prepared for decentralization, look at China, Singapore, etc? You’re asking for decentralization and you’re complaining about lack of control? Are you another Ampatuan in hiding just waiting for decentralization so you can set up your kingdom in your neck of the woods?
Decentralization at this time would surely break down the country into fiefdoms. Personally I would prefer a Lee Kuan Yew type/Lacson leader (may not be the actual Lacson) or at least someone who can make the people move in one direction, implement changes without fear of being unpopular, but a big one – not corrupt. A sort of a Noynoy/Lacson/a little bit Marcos/a little bit Erap type.
Basta nandyan pa sa paligid si Gloria, ayaw ko ng Chacha!
Bakit ba nagpakaliit-liit si Gloria na buhat sa posisyon na presidente kuno ay bumaba sa pagiging tongressman? Isa lang ang sagot, para ituloy ang chacha.
Nandyan na si Corona sa Supreme Court, Comelec na lang ang problema na malamang ay makuha pa ng bruha kung iengot-engot sila sa Palasyo na i-appoint si Makalintal.
Binuksan ng mga tuta ni Glorya itong isyung ito para ma-iba ang attention ng mga tao at media. Kinagat naman natin at ito naman ngayon ang pinag-uusapan.
Kaya kung ako lang ang masusunod … apurahin na ang pag-uusig sa mga Arroyo para tumahimik na ang mga asong ulol na gaya ni Evardone at pati na yong mukhang halimaw na si Lagman.
Pero wala yatang balak nitong Pangulo niyo ngayon na usigin si Glorya at mukha pang puro aso ni Glorya ang gustong ipuwesto saan man sulok ng inyong Pamahalaan. Kaya naman siguro hindi nasipa si Glorya noon dahil talaga namang magagaling ang mga taong nakapulupot sa kanya. Kaya itong mga ito ang pilit kinukuha nitong bugok niyong Pangulo.
Nakita niyo na ang sinasabi ko noon … buti na lang at hindi ko ibinoto itong taong ito. Sabi nga nila weder weder lang yan. Ibig sabihin lang niyan …. wala ring pinag-iba.
Today, Toronto is in mourning…a Police Officer is dead, a first since 2002, a small boy left fatherless, a suspect is shot and wounded by the Emergengy Task Force officers, just because he decided to steal a snow plow for a joy ride…
read the story here at the star on how one “crazy” individual can end up breaking up one happy family and put the whole city in mourning…
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/921028–dimanno-suddenly-a-police-call-turns-deadly?bn=1
Bakit nag-uunahan ang Balay and Samar to have their man appointed to the Comelec?
Well, hindi ba’t may electoral protest on the vice-presidency?
Minsan naiisip ko sana si Erap na lang ang nanalo kasi tiyak hahabulin talaga niya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nakulong. Sa nangyayari sa ngayon parang walang malaking isda ang malalambat. Puro lang mga papogi points para hangaan. Wala pa ring pinagkaiba ang dating administrasyon sa ngayon. Mahal pa rin ang mga bilihin. Nagtaas ang pasahe. Wala ng katapusan na pag increase. Mabuti pa noong Presidente si Erap ang gasolina hindi umaabot ng 25 pesos ang litro. Kung bakit kasi pinatalsik pa si Erap gayung ang ibang mga nagpatalsik nagsisi. Kung hindi pinatalsik si Erap malamang hindi makaupo bilang presidente si Gloria kasi ang mamanukin ni Erap para pumalit sa kanya ay tiyak malaki ang tsansa na manalo. Kung nangyayari iyon hindi sana nakakatikim gaano ang sarap maging presidente si Gloria. Wala sanang problema na mangyayari na may patungkol kay Gloria. Sa lahat ang masasabi ko lang ang dapat sisisihin ay walang iba kundi ang sumuporta para patalsikin si Erap noong siya ay presidente pa.
Itaga niyo sa bato …. walang magagawa itong Administrasyong ito kay Glorya. Puweeeeeee …. bugok talaga!!!!!
chi,
Susmaryosep, si Makalintal ang tinutulak ng Balay (nila Roxas) kasi si Brillantes ay sumuporta kay Binay na malamang ay bata ng Samar (Kamganak, Inc.).
Namfootah, di pa rin ba natatapos yang paksyon-paksyon na yan? Hanggang kailan pa ba yang kababawang yan? Bakit di na lang i-promote si Comm. Larrazabal? Medyo bata-bata pa at may alam sa technology. Di tulad ni Melo na pinaikutan lang ng Smartmatic.
Payag ako sa Chacha, pero ito ang mga kundisyon:
– Ililista ang mga issues na tatalakayin at lahat lang ng nakalista ang babaguhin.
– Sa eleksyon ng ConCon delegates, sabay nang ire-referendum kung payag ang mga tao na yun ang mga tatalakayin. Siyempre merong kampanya yan ng isang buwan.
– Bigyan ng anim na buwan ang ConCon para magresearch, kumunsulta sa tao, at gumawa ng draft ng text ng mga bagong probisyon.
– Bigyan ng tatlong buwang kampanya para ipaliwanag ng mga ayon at kontra ang kanilang mga kanya-kanyang dahilan.
– Isalang sa referendum matapos ang masusing pag-aaral at debate ang lahat ng isyu.
Ang iniiwasan lang naman talaga dito yung mga “singit” na probisyon at yung mga “loaded” pero disimulado para di mahalatang may pinapaborang iilan.
Ang kaunaunahang probisyong gusto kong maisama sa Chacha ay yung anti-dynasty provision na hindi na kailangan pang ang kongreso ang gagawa ng implementing rules. Paanong masusunod yang probisyon ng Konstitusyon na yan kung sila mismo ang tatamaan.
Kalahati ng mga kongresista ngayon (mga 120) ay anak, asawa o kamag-anak ng dating nakaupo pero inabot na ng 3-term limit. Paanong gagawa ang mga yan ng rules ng anti-dynasty law e simula nung 1986 wala man lang nagsumite ng proposed bill dahil nakaplano na kung sino sa mga anak ang magmamana ng puwesto?
Minsan naiisip ko sana si Erap na lang ang nanalo kasi tiyak hahabulin talaga niya ang dahilan kung bakit siya nakulong.
—————-
ngek, paano niya hahabulin ang taong nagpalaya sa kanya? may mga nakatagong rason yan… 🙂
Let’s have cha-cha when GMA is already behind bars.
Juggernaut,I like your comment #70:
“Personally I would prefer a Lee Kuan Yew type/Lacson leader (may not be the actual Lacson) or at least someone who can make the people move in one direction, implement changes without fear of being unpopular, but a big one – not corrupt. A sort of a Noynoy/Lacson/a little bit Marcos/a little bit Erap type.”
You, of course, left out the despicable Hobbit Queen. Understandable. And you left out FVR. Hmmm…interesting. But I would tend to agree, too.
nice to read related article from Neal Cruz…
Cha-cha is not urgent at present
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110114-314322/Cha-cha-is-not-urgent-at-present
We should make the changes one by one, the way the United States did it. The US Constitution is still the same one that its founding fathers wrote. It has been amended several times, one amendment at a time. Some of its provisions are already obsolete, like the Electoral College, but the Americans still make it work. And the US is now the most powerful, wealthiest and most progressive nation in the world. They did it not by changing the whole constitution but by amending it one at a time. We should do it the same way
“Let’s have cha-cha when GMA is already behind bars.” – Al # 80
Al, dapat the whole Pidal clan. Mahirap na at baka may makalusot. 😛
Agree, Mike. lalo pa yung anak niyang nagkukunyaring lider ng tricycle drivers and security guards.