Con Ass – where would this nightmare lead us to?
June 6th, 2009 by Primer C. Pagunuran
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?
June 6, 2009 at 9:47 am
Its time for EDSA IV!!!
Or if cynics like Benign0 are getting tired of the sequels. We can reboot the franchise.
Lets re-brand it as:
1. EDSA Reloaded.
or
2. People Power Begins
June 6, 2009 at 9:50 am
I’m not in favor of EDSA. It all end up like the rest of the EDSAs. Same o’ same o’
June 6, 2009 at 9:59 am
That’s why we will re-brand it.
We can even pattern it after American Idol so that people can revolt by text na lang instead of going out in the sweltering heat.
June 6, 2009 at 9:50 am
Primer, don’t worry about this nightmare called Con-Ass. Once you wake up it’s gone!
June 6, 2009 at 5:20 pm
I will wait and watch and take notes.
Joe
June 6, 2009 at 5:34 pm
WE SHOULD NOT REPEAT THE EDSA REVOLUTION BECAUSE TO (REPEAT HISTORY IS TO COMMIT TRAGEDY!!!!!!) THAT WAS WHAT HAPPENED TO EDSA 2 AND EDSA 3.
A NEW REVOLUTION SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN FOR US TO ACHIEVE
TRUE WORKING SOCIAL AND MORAL DEMOCRACY FOR US AND THE FUTURE GENERATION OF FILIPINOS
June 6, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Will anyone please throw caution to the wind.
The twitting phenomenon might have embrace another lost cause.
Are we bound to repeat the mistakes of history?
June 6, 2009 at 8:50 pm
We are still in a mistake, we are not even out, so how can we talk about repeating it when have not even emerged from the endless loop.
June 6, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Where will the nightmare lead? Another nightmare?
Or maybe an implosion – and this time around – Mindanao can secede – let Luzon and Visayas have their EDSA revolutions – they can have it every week if they want.
June 6, 2009 at 10:10 pm
A call to pinoy blogs and bloggers to link blogs on HR 1109
We are issuing this call to all pinoy blogs and bloggers to link to other blogs discussing or posting the issue of the House Of Representatives passing HR 1109 in congress.
Link other blogs even if your blog’s topic is not on anything related to HR 1109.
HR 1109 is one the most important actions of the current congress that will affect the whole country and our lives.
Let us link together to give pinoys the opportunity to be properly informed on the issue so that they can intelligently decide on their own or join a group to take action.
http://bit.ly/4CiZC
June 6, 2009 at 11:15 pm
CON ASS was a failed Grab for Power for Gloria Arroyo and her
conspirators. We watch what they do, Not listening to what they
say.
We the people, will proceed to the 2010 election. We dont need any
of her approval. She is subject to the present Constitution. If
she will not vacate Malacanang Palace, after her tem. We will drag
her out and her family, kicking and screaming.
A would be Dictator must be dealt accordingly, by force, if that is
the case.
June 7, 2009 at 12:32 am
The next thing to watch is on whether Senate could prove to be beyond reproach, rebuke, and reprimand. But seeing how old Nene and ballistic Santiago behave these days, plus a Joker, the future can be very uncertain.
They will behave just like the way HOR behaved – cut clean by the same master stroke – majority rules.
June 7, 2009 at 3:42 am
Senate and Congress are irrelevant on this issues. All Filipinos
who values the Constitution must prepare.
All Opposition parties must unite. This does not include Primer.
He is a paid promoter of Bayani Fernando and Gloria Arroyo. He
wants the would be Dictator very much TO CONTINUE HER RULE. He will surely kiss her Ass.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
June 7, 2009 at 2:18 am
It’s time to have REAL REVOLUTIONARY Government representing all sectors not by any TRAPOs.
June 7, 2009 at 8:07 am
i dont know what will happen to our constitution….we fought for it during marcos time and now this s..t congreemen are trying to circumvent our constitution
June 7, 2009 at 11:39 pm
charter change is fine, but not thru constitutional assembly.
June 8, 2009 at 9:58 am
Lynching mob at EDSA, to my mind, is not the way to go.
It sure can be defeating. For now, perhaps people can lobby in the Senate to stamp out 1109 and so that they will not be tempted to approve 1109 ’separately’. We should remember that many of them are pro-administration people.
Secondly, we should now be in the business of drafting a well-thought out position paper, a manifesto even, by examining carefully the text of HR 1109, going over the intentions of the framers of the 1935, 1973 and 1987 constitutions, and from here carve out a strong legal argument against 1109, if it warrants.
In short, we must win the debate against 1109 to the point that the Supreme Court will see the whole ’scheme of fraud’ in our light.
It is a ’scheme of fraud’ applying universal notions of morality.
June 8, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Primer, I agree conceptually with the approach. Protests don’t serve the Philippines well abroad, as it portrays the country as unstable. It should be a last resort.
I just don’t know who “we” is in your note. In the US, there is a Civil Liberties Union, a private watchdog that dogs the government’s every misstep. No such animal here.
Joe
June 10, 2009 at 10:12 am
I think another Edsa or Edsa IV is soooooooo yesterday! We’ve done it so many times and we are still in the same deep shit JMHO. Con Ass is not the solution. It’s another problem created by the same people (oligarchs) to stay in power.
June 10, 2009 at 5:02 pm
yes, im wearing black shirt as a sign of my protest to CON ASS… Although i cant attend since im here in Doha but my spirit and presence is with them… STOP CON ASS NOW…MABUHAY ANG SAMBAYANANG PILIPINAS…
We are riled about stupidity, mediocrity, and narcissism. We are upset that in the 21st century, there is still feudalism, such that only those who have money and power over the little people in their small towns can get to Congress. We wonder when politicians here and elsewhere will understand that what we need is good implementation of present laws; revision of laws that are sadly out-of-date due to the extraordinary prevalence of the internet and cyberspace; and the will to help the country, not enrich themselves.
June 12, 2009 at 8:45 pm
BASAHIN NINYO MUNA KUNG ANO ANG CON ASS
half the people here saying NO TO CON-ASS dont even know what it does what it isall they know is that it’s “BAD”…why is it bad? cuz the TV SAID SO, CUZ PEOPLE ARE RALLYING AND THEYRE ALL MAD AND YELLING….that LADIES AND GENTS is what you call ****PROPAGANDA****(((((DEFINITION of PROPAGANDA: 1. information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc. )))…so here let me shed some light on you guys as to WHAT CON-ASS Really IS
http://jlp-law.com/blog/house-resolution-1109-re-constitutional-amendment-or-revision/
most of you are saying NO CON ASS cuz it will prolong Gloria’s reign as president but in CLEAR LETTERS it completely says the opposite. So give me another argument as to why NO TO CON ASS and dont tell me cuz Gloria and his Tao-han will prolong their reign in the Cabinet.
dont accuse me of having some congress dude relative cuz i for sure can tell you ….i dont.
June 13, 2009 at 6:03 am
Why do I think it would be impossible to tell you anything with which you disagree now, and have you change your mind? Why would I want to whack my head against the cement?
Joe
June 6, 2009 at 10:08 am
This tantrum will blow away like typhoon and die like swine flu.
June 6, 2009 at 10:11 am
No they are mobilizing for EDSA IV.
If you want to join, meet us at Starbucks and WEAR BLACK :) (private joke … wink wink).
June 13, 2009 at 6:27 am
Ummmmmm, swine flu has been re-named to grant pigs their human rights, not to be disparaged as a people, and is exploding like wildfire.
Joe