And so it begins…
26 Nov 2008 
6
• 1287 views, 2 today
The Philippine Daily Inquirer carried a story today about movements in the House of Representatives towards extending the term of elected officials who serve 6-year terms, most prominent of whom is the president of the Republic.
Less than two years to go before Filipinos exercise their right to suffrage, pro-administration congressmen are seen trying to take away our right to remove from office those whom we determine are not fit to hold public office any longer.
A resolution extending the term of Ms Arroyo beyond that year has quietly found its way into the powerful House committee on constitutional amendments.
The resolution filed by administration Rep. Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas seeks to keep Ms Arroyo in her post for one more year should his parallel proposal of moving the May 2010 elections a year later be adopted.
Lawyer Neri Colmenares said Tuesday that the one-year term extension for Ms Arroyo would be the logical effect of the resolution, which states that: “All elected officials whose term will end at noon on June 30, 2010 shall hereby hold office until noon of June 30, 2011.”
This is House Resolution No.550, which was brought to the public’s awareness by Atty. Colmenares, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, during a speaking engagement “at the committee hearing on whether there was a need to revise the 1987 Constitution.”
Lately, talks to amend the Constitution — allegedly to “lift restrictive economic restrictions” — have become more and more associated with Macapagal-Arroyo’s term extension. Malacañang has issued a statement that it will block any move to extend the president’s term of office. Curiously enough, however, none of the statements emanating from the Palace regarding this matter has been categorical.
Don’t you find it suspicious that the reason for these pro-administration congressmen’s push for Charter Change keeps changing? There was the call for federalism via amendments to the Constitution. Now it’s something to do with eonomics, the specifics of which have not been clearly spelled out.
The Philippine general elections in May 2010 is our right. We must be vigilant over how the politicians are moving to amend our Constitution, lest we find ourselves robbed of this most fundamental of democratic rights.
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The question now, I think, is whether we should take to the streets—as we did in 1986 and again in 2001—to (excuse the language) stop this sh*t.
No, that's not gonna be good for us. Another Edsa and we'll be the laughing stock of Asia (hindi pa ba??).
No to this term extension.
I'm already at the edge of my seat.. i hope they won't push me over… or else….
NO TO TERM EXTENSION!
Sure, tag mo ako, but not this blog. Sa Blogie Blog, ok?
Maraming salamat sa pag-link!
Btw, you might be interested to read my father's blog: The Word God Spells.
Brod, pwede kaya kitang i-tag dun sa Blog Prayer Brigade? Add na rin kita sa blogroll ko, okey lang?