Only one thing is sure by now, once the administration succeeds overtaking the constitutional assembly, Mrs. Arroyo will be sitting in Marcos’ chair and our grandparents will be living again in Martial Law.
Looking back, it was in the year 2004 when the little lady from Malacanang created the Consultative Commission to propose for the amendment of the 1987 Philippine Constitution to change the form of government from Presidential to Parliamentary. But now, as you are reading this, a House Resolution No. 1109 was already passed which means that the entire constitution will be opened for revision. If this happens, the 2010 election will be affected and the little lady will stay for a longer time.
This is the third attempt to charter change; the first was in Ramos’ term which is similar to Arroyo’s intent; the second was in Estrada’s which is referred to as Constitutional Correction for Development (CONCORD) but only to amend the restrictive economic provisions and not the entire constitution.
Though it’s about time to change some parts of the constitution (because some of it is no longer applicable to our modern way of living) we cannot permit her to stay longer after all the problems and controversies she specially created for the country. More if we are going to consider the kind of leaders we have right now. However, if the advent of parliamentary system will take place, the power and influence will no longer center to one person only and the passing of legislation will be easier. Just to compare, the Student Coordinating Council uses the parliamentary system in their organization where the students of FEU – EAC are given the right to vote for whoever they want to put in position. After the election, the duly elected officers will then vote among themselves as to who’s to put in the executive positions. This gives way to better governance because only the qualified and competent leaders are seated in positions. However, positive outputs will depend if and only if we shall be governed by the morally upright and honest leaders. But in a country like the
Hypothetically, if there will be a charter change, many government officials shall be booted from office or many shall remain and there is a big possibility that Mrs. Arroyo shall take over. But who will take charge after her? Another Arroyo and then another until superman care to save Filipinos?
She already said the 2010 election will take place, but prior to this, she already told us that she won’t be running for presidency in the 2004 elections but she’s the president now; do we still have reasons to believe her after the HR no. 1109 has been passed? Maybe that’s her job – to deceive us again or maybe she thinks we’re more stupid than her. She might have done something good for the country but those were meaningless because of all the bad things she made. In fact, only one out of a thousand of ten can give positive things about her.
Given the country’s situation, only those with the truthful and righteous intent can save us from the hell we are facing. If there will be no election in 2010, what future is waiting for us? Is it really necessary to go on charter change? Our grand parents and parents learned their lessons after Ninoy and Marcos died. Are we going to let the history repeat itself? Or she just really wants her own wax body?
