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The whole nation is brazenly confronted by the issue of another proposed Charter Change. After the failed several attempts of the past administrations due to people’s protest, the present Government of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo provided another predicament efforts to change the Charter through Constituent Assembly. As an Assumptionist, this paper can facilitate us to acquire some critical thoughts and have some organized and constructive actions against the manipulative and corrupt moves of the government.
- What is CHARTER CHANGE (GMA's Cha-Cha)?
It refers as the political and other related processes involved in amending or revising the present 1987 Constitution insisted by the GMA Government.
- Who wanted this CHARTER CHANGE?
This is now adamantly carried by 175 representative-allies of GMA in the House led by Speaker Prospero Nograles (LAKAS-CMD), with Rep. Luis Villafuerte (KAMPI), Majority Leader Arthur Defensor and with the support of the Presidential son Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo and other members of the Arroyo family in Congress.
- Why CHARTER CHANGE?
These are primary reasons of GMA government.
- Economic Reforms through Liberalization and Foreign Control.
The GMA government wanted to limit government regulations and restrictions in the economy in favor for the greater participation of foreign and private business entities. This is in lieu with the principles of the already obsolete ideologies of globalization. They wanted to abolish the nationalist and pro-people constitutional provisions like the principles of National Patrimony and National Sovereignty. A 100% ownership of resources will be provided to foreign investment if the 1987 Constitution will be changed. Educational and media institutions can also be owned and controlled by foreigners if CHA-CHA will be pushed through.
- Political Reforms
Unicameralism
Our present legislative system is a bicameral one. This means that we are composed of two congresses namely the Houses of Representatives and the Senate. As a matter of process, all legislations must be approved through a joint committee by the two Houses. However, base on occurrence, the House of Senate has its oppositionist tendencies. To free GMA’s government from this Senate’s critical stance, Pres. Arroyo and her allies composed of the majority of the House of Representatives wanted to abolish the Senate by changing the Constitution into a unicameral form.
Parliamentary System
We have now a Presidential governmental system by which the executive and legislative powers are separated. GMA’s move to shift from this presidential to parliamentary system would mean the marriage of both executive and legislative functions into one through a new parliament. This parliament will elect among themselves its own prime minister (head of the state and the government) and appoint its cabinet. Since GMA could not run for the next elections as head of the state and government under a Presidential form, she can still run as Representative of Pampanga and can be elected as Prime Minister of a new parliament if Cha-Cha will be pushed through. This will legitimize her dream of a term extension.
Decentralization
Under the present unitary form of government, all governmental functions are highly centralized to the national government in Manila. GMA allies wanted to share the power that will be enjoyed by GMA under a changed constitution through decentralization and enjoy a relative local autonomy. Strangely, the majority allies of GMA from the Local Government Units (LGU’s) also asserted the deletion of the constitutional prohibition against political dynasties (Article II. Sec. 27) and exhortation to act against graft and corruption (Article II, Sec 27)
Federal Government
Under a decentralized form of government, transformation of our country into a Federal Republic of the Philippines will allow establishments of federal states like of the US governmental system.
- How they will change the CHARTER?
There are 3 modes of Constitutional Amendments under Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution:
- People's Initiative
- Constitutional Convention
- Constituent Assembly
The People’s Initiative is a mode through the direct proposal coming from the people of at least 12% of the total number of registered voters. The mode of the Constitutional Convention is the election by the people or appointment of the President in convening representatives to proposed changes of the charter.
The Constituent Assembly (CON-ASS) is a mode favorable for GMA and its allies. This process is through the Bicameral Congress (Senate and the House of Representatives) formally convened to propose amendments or revisions to the 1987 constitution. Proposals are approved upon a vote of 3/4 of all its Members. CON-ASS will assure GMA’s proposals because the majority congress is supportive to her.
- When will this planned CHARTER CHANGE happen?
CON-ASS is already in the process of happening. Last month of June 3, 2009, a controversial resolution HR1109 was filed in the House of Representatives calling for a Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) to amend the Constitution even without the Senate’s participation. This was drafted by Rep. Villafuerte in contrast to HR 737 of and Speaker Prospero Nograles. However, the draft in the process was sponsored by Speaker Nograles and Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Macapagal Arroyo. It seeks to gather 197 signatures.
In June 5, 2009, The Con-ass Resolution HR1109 was signed by 174 lawmakers. It states that the mode for Charter change should first be established before any specific proposal to amend it could be made.
Oppositionist legislator guesstimate that the formal formation CON-ASS will be during or after the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the President on July 27, 2009 as all members of the Bicameral Congress will jointly convene.
- As ASSUMPTIONIST, what would be our position and actions?
Our Vision Mission and Goals (VMG) is with in the paradigm of scientific and critical thoughts. This paradigm molded our social orientation as an academic institution. In relation to our efforts for transformative education, we also stand for a society that is nationalist, democratic, faith motivated and integral to God
We must call to stop the Nograles’ Constituent Assembly and the GMA’s efforts for Charter Change. We need to defend our national sovereignty and protect our national patrimony against foreign control and ownership. We must unite along with other basic sectors and influence the Church and other members of academe to join the broad forces of the people.
In particular, we can do and initiate the following:
- Discuss this paper in the class or in informal gimiks with friends, group discussions and faith-life sharing.
- Sponsor or join prayer and theological-reflection activities in context with this issue.
- Form groups, alliances, machineries, convene the local student/faculty/personnel/alumni organizations and unions to discuss and arrive at a certain positions.
- 4. Join planned and snap rallies against CON-ASS or CHACHA.
Prepared by: Vision Mission Goals Group (VMGG)
SOURCES:
1987 Philippine Constitution
Constitutional Commission Report, 2005 (CONCOM)
IBON BIRDTALK, Economic and Political Briefing, July 15, 2009
ACD Vision Mission Goals
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