Senators weigh federalism bid after Palace Cha-cha move

August 13, 2008

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was placed in a delicate position after Malacañang hijacked his proposal to amend the Constitution to allow a federal system of government and push Mrs. Arroyo’s Charter change (Cha-cha) designs which many suspect were meant to extend her term of office.

Most of the senators were opposed to the Cha-cha plan of Mrs. Arroyo but signatories to Resolution 10 filed by Pimentel that would initiate discussions on the federal system proposal which includes an amendment to the Constitution stood firm on backing the Pimentel initiative.

The support is, however, expected to dwindle if the Palace will insist on using the resolution to railroad a Cha-cha campaign in Congress.

Even administration senators have crossed party lines to reject Malacañang’s insistence to put in place Cha-cha before the 2010 elections as they are unconvinced over claims that the sudden proposal by the Executive on the matter is aimed at bringing peace in Mindanao.

“I’d rather resign (from being a senator) if they (Malacañang) will

succeed in prevailing over the Senate in pushing Cha-cha. I’d rather resign,” said Pimentel.

Palace allies in the upper chamber, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Joker Arroyo, stood opposed to tinkering with the 1987 Constitution at this time, even if the Executive itself is calling for it.

“The question now is the timing. A number are questioning if this is just a vehicle to extend the life of this administration. We, in the Senate already have a consensus that any amendments to the Constitution should be done after the 2010 elections,” said Zubiri.

Both Zubiri and Sen. Arroyo believe the Palace’ proposal will face rough sailing in Congress, not only due to strong opposition of various sectors but also because of the difficult process it will have to undergo before actual reforms in the Charter’s provisions could be made.

Zubiri said it could easily be predicted that series of mass protest will take place in the streets if the administration will attempt to implement Cha-cha before the next round of polls.

Senator Arroyo, in a separate interview, expressed misgivings over Palace’ pronouncements implying that there will be no more stopping in opening amendments to the Constitution.

“That’s a lie. That won’t happen. Anything about Cha-cha is doomed. I don’t think the Republic will go for it. The most pitiful aspect of this development is the fact that the MoA has been taken over, covered by Cha-cha. So it’s part of news management that now Cha-cha is more important which won’t happen anyway over, what is happening now, which is the MoA,” he said.

Both Arroyo and Zubiri took a shot at Press Secretary Jesus Dureza’s claims that the Senate will be at the receiving end of public criticism if Cha-cha will not kick off.

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan and Sen. Panfilo Lacson have openly said they are now re-thinking of their position on the issue and will withdraw their signature if the Palace’ political agenda will prevail.

“Withdrawing my signature does not mean I am not in support of the concept of federalism. My support is still there,” Estrada added. But “if the Palace will insist on using the issue as a toll to extend the term of Mrs. Arroyo, I will immediately withdraw support for the resolution,” said Estrada.

Pangilinan and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, also in interviews, emphasized that they agreed to affix signature to the Pimentel resolution “with reservations” as to the timing, mode and content or provisions that will face amendments.

The main proponent in the upper chamber, Pimentel maintained that he will not allow his resolution to be used by the Palace for their “selfish agenda.”

Also, the matter of federalism will cover not only the autonomous region in Mindanao or the Bangsamoro state but the entire country, Pimentel added.

Makati Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar C. Binay, meanwhile, said resorting to a constitutional amendment, even if done by Mrs. Arroyo’s ‘kangaroo ConAss’, will not eradicate the intrinsic impropriety and illegality of the proposed Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

Binay said the very concept of ceding a major portion of the Philippines ’ sovereign territory is in itself an act clearly inimical to the country. “What’s wrong is wrong; and what she wants to do is to give away not just the land, but the tremendous natural resources within the territory in question,” he explained. He said the rich oil and mineral deposits in Mindanao that will be part of the BJE represent a potential windfall – for all Filipinos – that can actually catapult the Philippines out of its financial woes. That, in effect, is what Mrs. Arroyo is giving away: the impending realization of the Filipino’s dream to improve his financial condition, according to Binay.

He also reminded the Arroyo administration that the Supreme Court has yet to rule on the validity of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) establishing a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity, the basis for the administration’s rush to convene a Constituent Assembly.

Binay said UNO is set to meet with civil society groups, Church, and people’s organizations to resume the campaign against Charter Change.

The Nacionalista Party, in a statement, also expressed strong opposition to the proposed amendment to the Constitution before the 2010 presidential elections.

NP spokesman Gilbert Remulla said they recognize the Constitution, being the “mother law” that governs the nation, must be responsive to strategic issues of national interest.

However, as outlined by their party head, Senate President Manuel Villar,who said he supports the initiative of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel to open the doors of debate on federalism as a pro-active course of action in bringing peace to Mindanao, they are opposed to any moves to change the Constitution before 2010 as part of peace building in the region.

Saying it should be best left to the people to decide on whether the 1987 Constitution should be revised, amended or otherwise, Speaker Prospero Nograles said he will be issuing a directive to all members of the House of Representatives to get back to their respective districts next week and meet their constituents.

In the anniversary edition of the weekly forum Ayes and Nays News Forum, Nograles said that he will ask the lawmakers for an accurate report on whether or not the people want change in the Constitution.

“I want feedback on the ground, not just personal views of the Congressmen. It is the people that should decide on the issue, not us the leaders,” Nograles said.

While results of an informal survey of the lawmakers in the House of Representatives showed that 118 out of 129 who signed the form are in favor of the Charter Change, Nograles said that the survey is just the view or opinion of the solons but not the people.

“Members of the House should discuss the matter in every barangay. Talk to the barangay leaders and make necessary survey if possible,” Nograles added.

According to Nograles, the issue of Charter Change is very divisive as this requires intense debate in the Congress.

Nograles said he himself will go to his district, Davao City, to convene all the barangay leaders and ask them what’s there feeling about the proposal.

Some administration solons, such as Bohol Rep. Jesus Madrona; Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor; Buhay Party-list Rep. Irwin Tieng and Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong have expressed support to the proposed Charter Change.

Charlie V. Manalo, Jason Faustino

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