Ducky Paredes

Malaya (12.21.05)
“I think this constitution that they are proposing would be called the politicians’ Constitution because this definitely favors only the politicians.”

Cha-cha is Doomed!

by Ducky Paredes

What happened to Jose Abueva, the Chairman of the Constitutional Commission of persons personally handpicked by Gloria Arroyo? Pepe used to be an honorable man.
If he still is, why did Abueva, as claimed by 22 members of the ConCom, agree to a change by Malacanang in what was agreed upon by the ConCom – that Gloria’s term be shortened to 2007? Instead, Abueva, as ConCom chairman presented to Gloria a Malacanang-prepared version where all public officials – local and national would be extended (without election) until 2010. This is blatant and outright bribery.
The 22 are: The commissioners were Angelo Abarico, Joji Ilagan-Bian, Noel M. Cariño, Nelia T. Gonzalez, Gonzalo Jurado, Liberato Laus, Emily Marohombsar, Democrito Mendoza, Cecilio Seno, Ephraim Tendero, David Tirol, Andres Bautista, Jarius Bondoc, Pablo Garcia, Rita Linda Jimeno, Amado Lagdameo, Alexander Magno, Jose Sonny Matula, Vicente Paterno, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Ray Magno Teves and Alfonso Yuchengco.

These 22 reject the version of the transitory provisions submitted to Gloria by Abueva. To them, the cancellation of the 2007 elections (and term extension of all sitting elected officials) is not acceptable to the people:
“It could be construed as an attempt to entice our national and local officials to push for the passage of the revised constitution, in a myopic view that all our officials are only desirous of ensuring their political tenure. Such a proposition is not only an insult to our public officials but more importantly it is an affront on our people’s intelligence.
“If genuine change and new hope are what we seek for the good of our nation, then it is but fitting and proper that all must genuinely work towards creating and establishing a system and form of government that is based on the principles of fairness and justice,” their paper stressed.
Their paper also suggests that should this push through, the new parliament will be composed of the President, the Vice President and 12 senators whose terms are legally until 2010 with the rest of parliament (composed of the congressmen and half of the Senate whose terms end in 2007) whose terms would be of dubious legality.
Why not? The present President and Vice President already fall into the dubious category anyway.
Former Sen. Vicente Sotto III says:
“Ang description ko rito is like this: the 1973 Constitution was called the Marcos Constitution, the 1986 Constitution was called the Cory-people power Constitution. I think this constitution that they are proposing would be called the politicians’ Constitution because this definitely favors only the politicians. Sa klase ng mga proposals na nandoon ang makikinabang iyong presidente, Congress at iyong mga local government units,” he said in a press conference.

“Ang nangyari noong araw tinanggal si Erap, people power daw. Dinaya si FPJ, legal daw. Ito naman papasok na deception sa atin, biglang papalitan ang Constitution na hindi naman talaga nakonsulta ang taong bayan. Aba, ang mangyayari diyan, kawawa ang taong bayan. Aalisan nila ng boses ang bayan not only once, not only twice but thrice.
“The country is doomed if we adopt that kind of a Constitution.”
* * *
We have a letter: “GMA’s Con-Com is designed to fail. Remember that although it was hinted of in the SONA (as with other motherhood statements), it was fast-tracked because of the Garci scandal. The main objective was to mollify a nation who wanted to oust her. Precisely, it was an accommodation for FVR and JDV not to join the ouster calls. Indeed, many fell for the ruse. Now they want to put in the very unpalatable condition of term extension. For GMA and her lackeys (politicians) and apologists (the media, not including Malaya), it should be a win-win strategy. If the people will not approve of the Con-Com proposal, then GMA stays. If the people approves (with the full campaign support of politicians who want a free ride extension), then GMA stays longer. Either way, GMA’s term is not cut short. Tuloy ang ligaya.
“I may be cynical, but I think we’re better off with the present constitution. We don’t need a new constitution to pull us forward. We need to get rid of the politicians that drag us down.” — Perry Hugo
* * *
This is also exactly what Gloria Arroyo says, Perry, The difference is that you are more astute is that you clearly identify Gloria Arroyo is precisely the sort of politician that drag us all down.

* * *
Las Monday, on the old course at Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club, media golfer Pompeyo Navarro of Tumbok, the sister-tabloid of the Inquirer, scored his first-ever hole-in-one after 50 years of playing the royal and ancient game. Pompeyo used a Mizuno driver to bring his ball (an old one with an already undecipherable brand name) 183 yards into the hole. (The ball traveled over water. which was why Pompeyo chose an old ball.)
On arriving at the green, Navarro could not find his ball. He thought he had lost it when, lo and behold, it was found right in the hole. I was in the flight ahead. Navarro was with Delfin Perez, Rey Enano and Roman Floresca.
* * *
The Federation of Philippine Amateur Senior Golfers, Inc. (FPASGI), the largest grouping of senior golfers in the country will host the competition of the Asean Senior Golfers in November.
On December 29m 2005, the FPASGI, under President Abelardo Villanueva will hold its year-end tournament and the last leg for the San Miguel Senior Cup ay Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. All FPASGI members are welcome to play and/or attend the Christmas party.
Tee-off is from 8 to 10 in the morning. The Christmas party begins at 4:00 p.m. All member-attendees, even non-players, are eligible to participate in the raffle. Hosts are the Capitol Hills Senior Golfers, Inc.
* * *
Readers who missed a column can go to http://ducky.paredes-ohana.org. Your reactions are welcome at duckyparedes@gmail.com.

# # # #
hvp (12.20.05)

—–