Selfish interests EDITORIAL 07/03/2010

Selfish interests

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 07/03/2010 So what is wrong, legally, constitutionally and even morally, in getting the Constitution changed, whether this is a resolution or a bill filed by former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, or anyone else? Everybody knows that the 1987 Constitution is fatally flawed, having been twisted too much through the years, and made legal by a Malacañang-friendly high court, bringing about more and more doors opened for the abuse of the powers of the presidency. There is a dire need for constitutional change, and this should be done now, when the Filipino people have just given Congress a fresh mandate. Yet every single time a new Malacañang tenant and his allies who are suddenly in power and position, comes in, there is objection to changing the Charter. Under the Ramos presidency, there was public resistance to having Charter change (Cha-cha) through the people’s initiative (PI) since it became much too clear that Ramos was pushing the lifting of term limits, which would then translate to his being able to seek re-election, as well as for his allies in Congress. The overall objection then to Cha-cha was that it was not the right time to effect changes; PI, as fashioned, was unconstitutional; Congress, on its last year, was no longer the right body to effect changes.  Under the Estrada presidency, even as he made it clear that only the economic provisions would be touched for amendments, this again was rejected by the usual civil society types, injecting the fear factor of his wanting to stay in power. And then came Gloria who called for Cha-cha, and aided by Ramos, wanted Cha-cha through the constituent assembly to bring about a parliamentary system.... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100703com1.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Selfish interests FRONTLINE Deja vu focus ‘Private armies’ hold Philippine politics at gunpoint