This writer reads with  much skepticism the headline-grabbing reports that President Arroyo’s congressional allies are split down the middle between pushing for a constituent assembly to alter the Constitution or bidding for  an elected constitutional convention to propose amendments to the 1987 fundamental law.

There’s the ground-shifting angle now playing with ruling party chief Luis Villafuerte (KAMPI) plotting  the ouster of recently installed House Speaker Prospero Nograles!

You think that will happen so soon after 183 solons sent the 4th impeachment case against GMA to the waste basket?

We are witnessing a classic smoke and mirrors show.

Wagging tongues in the Palace by the Pasig tell me the scenario has Villafuerte retreating in statesmanlike fashion to project that Malacanang hears the anti Con-Ass protests.

This Plan B of the Cha-Cha plot plays out with the ConCon delegates being elected on the basis of existing congressional districts.

So what will we have?

The wives, sons or cousins of sitting lawmakers will be vying for the ConCon seats allocated on the basis of congressional districts with access to the administration’s near-bottomless political war chest.

If that ConCon does not turn out to be pliant enough to Malacanang’s designs, there is the tested and proven ‘Bon-Bonus’ strategy not unlike the days of 1971 ConCon delegate Miguel Quintero.

Should that formula fail, Plan C will be put into motion where, under an emergency rule situation, the drafted charter can just be put to barangay assembly ‘viva voce’ ratification following the Marcosian blueprint that appears to be playing out.

If the suspicions of many Filipinos come true, you will have GMA holding the reins of power beyond 2010 with her term extended or as Primera Deputada and National Assembly Speaker, and Prime Minister.

Don’t forget there can also be the concoction called constitutional authoritarianism worked into a brand new fundamental law.

How about international recognition you ask?

No worry. Protectionist national patrimony provisions will have been subverted by them to allow China and other moneyed powers to drill and mine wherever they please and repatriate their earnings as well.

Nasaan na ang Lupang Hinirang?

About Author: Ding G. Gagelonia has written 393 articles. Ding G. Gagelonia has been a journalist for some 30 years, having worked in both radio and TV news and public affairs since his teens. Ding Gagelonia now writes independently and does corporate communications consulting. He has two kids, Felice and Luis. His journalist blog is at midfield.wordpress.com