DON’T CON ASS!

BAGUMBAYAN–Volunteers for a New Philippines voices its protest and opposition against any and all moves for a constituent assembly and Charter change before the 2010 Elections.

We have long supported Senator Richard Gordon’s opposition to ill-timed efforts to amend the Constitution.

As Chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, revision of codes and laws, Gordon upheld the supremacy of the Constitution at all times. He insisted on the lawful method of Charter change, that is, only according to the process set forth in the Constitution. He opposed the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass) with both houses voting together, as well as the unconstitutional People's Initiative (PI). He was one of the triumphant parties in the case of Lambino and Aumentado vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 174153, October 25, 2006.

House Resolution 1109 was sprung on our countrymen as they slept on a dark rainy night.

With suspicious stealth and undue haste, members of the House of Representatives railroaded the passage of the resolution that will, in effect, dilute and negate the participation of the Senate in the process of amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Such a brazen move on the eve of the last session day of Congress suggests a sinister plot in the works.

It is our contention that HR 1109 will impair the vital system of check and balance between both chambers of Congress. This allows a situation where the tyranny of numbers can be wielded to subdue the voice of reason and rectitude, clearing the way for the installation of provisions in the Constitution that may later serve the selfish interests of a few rather than promote the common good.

We will not allow OUR voice on the matter of Charter change be diminished or laid aside.

We hold that Article XVII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that any amendment to - or revision of – the Constitution may be proposed by Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members.

We hold that this constitutional provision should not be misconstrued as a provision where both Houses of Congress vote jointly. The Constitution, the fundamental law of our land, is very clear as when Congress may vote jointly, and this does not include Charter change.

WE HOLD THAT Charter change must be done right - at the proper time, definitely after the May 2010 elections; for the right reasons, that is, for the national interest, not personal and vested interests; and within the legal means under the Constitution.

Leon “Porong” Herrera
President, Bagumbayan
www.bagumbayan-vnp.com