No to Constituent Assembly(CONASS). NOT NOW!
By lloydbelleza
@lloydbelleza (1227)
Philippines
June 10, 2009 11:46am CST
The Philippine Constitution being the fundamental law of the land can be changed in three ways. One is through constitutional convention (Con-Con) where delegates are elected by the people. This is how our 1987 Constitution was drafted. Second is through an initiative where twelve percent (12%) of the total registered voters can sign a petition for charter change (Chacha). Each legislative district must be represented by at least three percent(3%) of its registered voters. And finally, through a Constituent Assembly where Congress (House of Representatives and the Senate) transforms itself into a body that changes or amends the constitution.
Constituent Assembly is a legitimate way to amend our constitution. The debate today is not on whether it is valid to change the constitution. Rather, it is the way the House of Representative formed the Constituent Assembly. In our current constitution, it simply states that the Con-Assembly is formed by a vote of 3/4 of all the members of the congress. It is not stated if the vote is done separately in the House of Representatives and Senate. A 3/4 vote means 176 congressmen and 17 senators voting separately or 196 congressmen plus senators voting as one.
House Bill 1109 was passed on June 2, 2009 with a vote of majority of the Congressmen present. The way the resolution was passed was questioned by many as unconstitutional. It does not follow the process written out to form a Constituent Assembly. Only the Supreme Court can now decide whether this is constitutional or not.
The amendment of the constitution is a legitimate exercise of democracy but the more pressing question to ask is this: Do we need to change it now? And do we trust our Congressmen to amend it in the interest of the people? 2010 Election is fast approaching. Is it timely to do this thing?
Personally, I don't support this Constituent Assembly. It is very untimely. The intention is very questionable. There are so many things to deal with than amending the constitution. There are swine flu, unending corruption cases, agrarian reforms, unemployment, and many others. The Arroyo administration must face and address all of these before this Constituent Assembly. Her term is almost over, she must do something great for the Filipino to remember and not try to amend the constitution so she can extend her tenure of service or occupy an office in a parliamentary form of government.
Just NOT NOW!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
Untimely is the right word for it. Why do politicians always would want this Cha Cha at the end of every termed presidency. I guess this is their way to extend their stay in power. Althought they are saying that the election will go on as planned but they were not mentioning if it is a presidential or a parliamentary elections. Very tricky indeed because our current president can easily run for congress since in parliamentary it is only Congressmen which will have to be voted by us and GMA can easily win in her hometown district which is in Pampanga then she can run for the parliament as Prime Minister thus technically extending her term legally. Nice plan! I think Presidential election should continue on so that GMA may finally stepped down and in the transition government this whould be the first tasks that should be done by the newly elected congressmen and senators. I guess that would be an acceptable arrangement.
1 person likes this
@lloydbelleza (1227)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
Very very UNTIMELY. Thus, making the intentions of the who approved the house bill questionable.
@technoobs (406)
• Philippines
12 Jun 09
I guess it is true that its not in good times to push through with constituent assembly for the matter. In this time that the election is nearing, we should see it first that GMA has to step down in position before we can continue with the constituent assembly, that is to see who will carry out the proceedings but not with GMA.
@eliezl (610)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
must be her desperate or last resort..LOL...
sigh, i think im not gonna vote. i dont trust anyone in the presidentials. i dont like our government. i think no matter how many times we change the president, if corrupt officials are still there, it will be the same story over and over again. im getting tired of it. i think one reason why i never bothered reading newspaper concerning politics or even paying attention to news on television LOL...
@lloydbelleza (1227)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
I am not saying that I did not get tired of all of these but I don't think you should deprive yourself the power to vote. This may be a cliche but your vote really counts and you can influence others too. We NEED CHANGE. We should take advantage of the upcoming 2010 ELECTION to start that CHANGE. Do not lose hope for our country. If you think there are no yet capable presidential candidates to be the next president then air your qualifications of what a PRESIDENT should be. We have to have a joint effort in the selection of the next MOST FIT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT. Exercise your right to vote. This is not just about elections, we are talking about here the FUTURE of our country. This may sound dramatic, but really the future of the Philippines is in our hands. Let's be involved. Let's do something. This is our country, let's SAVE it.
@mhagskier (322)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
As i remember, for the past years of PGMA in her service with the administration they were trying to push cha-cha and they do not stop till now. And now the administration is trying to introduce to filipino people the CON. A* S..
About the thing that you said, CON A*S not now, i may say not forever.
I am wondering, do we filipino people will have the good leader in this next government.
1 person likes this
@lloydbelleza (1227)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
The 1987 Constitution, in time, should be revised as to adopt to the changes of our time. But it really untimely to do it NOW. And we can't yet fully trust our Congressmen to amend our constitution. No offense, but they might be up to something that would be detrimental to the country and its people.
@eichs1 (1934)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
I for one believe that some provisions in our constitution need revision. However, the changes are not that pressing and definitely, this is not the right time for it. Why can't the congressmen wait until the 2010 election is done (which is just 11 months away) before starting this resolution? Besides, there are other pressing matters on hand - CARP extension or creation of more "genuine" agrarian reformation, child protection program, and more. That makes many think that those who voted for this have personal interest at stake, thus the move.
I don't have a group to join to attend ConAss rallies. But to show support, I placed a No-ConAss logo in my blog. (Check my blog - http://ayaysalidummay.blogspot.com - if you want to see my support to the movement and get a copy of the logo or visit http://notoconass.com)
1 person likes this
@lloydbelleza (1227)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
I placed the No to ConAss Logo in my blog too. I also agree that there are some things that need revisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution but it is untimely to do it now. The intentions are very questionable. And we both agree that there are so many other issues that the government must address first before pushing this ConAss to happen. Let's not stop airing this concern. Let's make way so every Filipino would know about this.
@lodyllesovo (321)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
It just so obvious of what the congress is doing right now. When the election is getting nearer and nearer, here they go... Con AS*. These people might be thinking that most of the Filipinos are morons. Well.... (it's up to you guys to think.)
Anyways, there are really people who are power hungry. I think if only she did her job and show great results, then people would not have revolted and would have let her do whatever she wants. But then, with all those rallies, it just shows that the Filipino people is fed up with her. She better wait for the next election.
1 person likes this
@lloydbelleza (1227)
• Philippines
11 Jun 09
If they are thinking of changing or amending the constitution, they should first think of changing the way the administration leads. Change some existing systems that promote graft and corruption. Change those traditional politicians (TRAPO).
Indeed, some really are power hungry. They can't get enough of what they have now that they want to extend their tenure of service.
@beejay24 (75)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
we have a bicameral legislative system, thus making congress distinct and separate from senate. both house should meet on a common notion of changing the constitution. so this means two of them should vote. they cannot form into a constituent assembly if the senate is not participating. you cannot have one without taking the other since each of them is integral part of a constituent assembly.
