Will the Con Ass proposal approved at the Lower Chamber adopt into the Upper Chamber? Or let us backtrack a bit?

Uncharacteristic haste aptly describes the passage of the so-called cha-cha (charter change) train that it looks more like a ‘bullet-train’ (as Golez aptly quips) and not your ordinary train in the railroad tracks.

Signs show that the rabid if frontline supporters of the measure are indicatively bound by instruction than by – conscience. That is not to say that a virtual ‘conscience bloc’ didn’t try – but for naught.

Is this classic then of – ‘Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely’? Pray tell.

And who were on board? No one will ever know – not even history. They all came shouting – HOR (House of Representatives), Inc. played mob – but as soon as the audio waves of the ‘ayes’ dissipate in the calming winds, no one remembers, much less, point with accuracy who voted to approve HR (House Resolution) 1109.

All we got is the copy of the questioned house resolution (HR), itself and while the names of the signatory or co-sponsors are effaced in the document, it cannot be made a basis as to the identities that later protesters can vent their indignation against.

The pseudo ‘Honorables’ can always say, they signed the resolution alright but they are not one of those who shouted – viva voce – ‘ayes’ to the measure. So where would that lead us?

A ‘crime’ appears to have been committed and we will be hard put to show any evidence should we later accuse particular persons. Nothing on record shows who voted for HR 1109 unless each individual ‘ayes’ were somehow captured on digital tech but we do know that HR 1109 crawled into the night – hidden from public view.

What seems to be the gameplan of a government soon to retire 11 months hence? Are they playing tricks on the people they governed? Will they attempt to violate the Constitution in existence and in effect?

It challenges reflection how a legislative measure which is a mere house resolution – not even a bill – can be adopted or approved whose effect is far-reachingly and overarchingly crucial to the very Constitution itself not to say, our very lives, our government, our future.

Sure HR 1109 goes to the Senate. But then, what would stop this Con-Ass from being stamped down than being approved satisfying the vote requirement? Play of numbers again? Is it as if we don’t know who the ‘defenders of the faith’ are?

Numbers game has overruled conscience, has intimidated reason, and has bastardized wisdom. Is there other way?

It is to be expected that as soon as Con Ass is convened, it is convened using the ruling majority’s own currency. It cannot be other way. Thus, we must expect that they will justify that HOR and Senate, once convened into a Con Ass will deliberate jointly but not separately, and for that matter, vote jointly (in Congress assembled – meaning both HOR and Senate). When this happens, the numbers game takes – highest precedence.

Assuming that Senate adopts the Con Ass measure by this tyranny of numbers, a consequent plebiscite will be held for the purpose of ratifying what was approved, say , revise the Constitution, or in fact, specific amendments to the Constitution – will the voting population stamp the ‘grand finale’ with a no?

They will apply the tricks in the books. They will ‘bribe’ barangay captains and officials, their city or municipal mayors, their provincial governors – everyone with a sphere of influence. In short, money politics can be at its worst, nay at its best.

If GMA remains in power and those in power remain with GMA, what future is in store for us? How can people fight against their ‘parochial will’? More generals than authorized have already been promoted. More recruitment in the military and the police establishment have just been through opening the door even for both men and women, even gays. More military generals are appointed in ambassadorial posts violative of the foreign service corps’ raison d etre. More party list representatives have just been added to the payroll. Political parties merged so their population has doubled in just a day’s work.

The right of reply bill has just been approved at the House as it will be in the Senate. We can’t believe our eyes and ears that old Nene is its frontline advocate and his rather arrogant message that no one has ever raised the most valid justification to kill the proposal or indeed – what has Old Media really done to defend their role as Fourth Estate? I don’t know but I’ll just ask – where will this lead us to, pray tell?

Laugh or weep, what are we going to do next?

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