A lot of Filiponos will wake up today—surprised, or even shocked with the latest development. While many were asleep, the Philippine House of Representatives, like a thief in the night, has again robbed the Filipino people of their democratic rights.
In an extended session that almost reached midnight on 2 June 2009, Congress has approved House Resolution 1109 convening Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution—WITH ONLY 11 MONTHS AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS of 2010
And there I was, up to a a few hours before this fiasco, convincing (with sugar coated promises) 5 members of my family who are at least 18 years old to register with the COMELEC, so that they could vote for the new president come 2010. This was because I still have faith in the government. In my heart of hearts, I felt, and I still feel, that the Filipino still has a chance to rise above the deep pit we all are in now—with our powers that be, our leaders, showing more interest on sex video scandals in the halls of Senate (and many more trivial matters before this) in the guise of legislation.
PGMA has long called on Congress to initiate measures to amend the Constitution to effect a change from the the presidential form to a parliamentary form of government because “our political system has degenerated” to become “a hindrance to progress” and how “we have strained it to its final limits”—part of her SONA in 2005 (read here).
And oh, there was a provision in HR 1109 that there will be NO EXTENSION of the terms of the following: the incumbent president and vice president, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office will expire in 2010. Also, the 12 senators elected in 2007 for a 6-year term will be allowed to finish their terms, and listen to this—THE 2010 ELECTIONS SHOULD PUSH THROUGH as scheduled.
Given that most developed countries, including our more progressive neighbors in Asia have a parliamentary form of government, and given that there is indeed reason to adopt their models and effect change—IS NOW THE TIME?
* Now, when the presidential elections are forthcoming?
- Now, when the Filipino is too poor and too hungry to think of things other than searching for means to feed the family (and a 2nd and a third…) ?
- Now, when the Filipino is too oppressed to ever rise and fight back?
- Now, when the Filipino is too far to even care?
- Now, when the Filipino is too tired to even pay attention?
- Now, when the Filipino does not even anymore respect the leaders?
- and many many more…
I OPPOSE THIS MOVE—for obvious reasons.
How about you? Are you the Filipino described above? Will you allow your government—that is supposed to (in simple words) protect you and take care for you to do otherwise for the benefit of them in power?
Related Posts
- Despite Ondoy, despite Haiti, despite Chile...life has to go on (help save Mother Earth)
- Today, I Fell in Love
- Meeting Our Presidentiables: Nicanor Perlas--An alternative to traditional “winnability”
- Leptospirosis Alert: a silent killer on the loose (an information campaign)
- Blog Action Day '09 Climate Change: There is HOPE...if only
- Approval of HR 1109--like a thief in the night, they again robbed the Filipinos of their democratic rights
- POC Presents Takbong Pangarap with Joy Rojas (Bloggers' Meet on 18 April)
2 responses so far ↓
Oppose Charter Change Perpetuating GMA and Her Allies in Power | A Filipina Mom Blogger // Jun 3, 2009 at 10:27 am
[...] Approval of HR 1109–like a thief in the night, they again robbed the Filipinos of their democratic… by Dine Racoma [...]
tito // Oct 11, 2009 at 10:42 pm
It’s a theft in broad daylight.
Leave a Comment