The Lone Ranger Chacha of The House
June 3rd, 2009 by Ruffy Biazon
The passage of House Resolution 1109 proposing to amend the Constitution is another blow to the already tarnished reputation of the House of Represenatives. It is appalling that the leadership ignored the sentiments of the people which reject moves to amend the constitution at this time. It gives the House the image that it is callous to public opinion and will only give due attention to matters that pertain to its members’ personal and political agenda.
It is also deplorable that in the undue rush to pass the resolution, the House leadership chose to deny members of the House their right to express their positions on such an important measure. The untimely motion to end the debates aborted the interpellation of congressmen who were already lined up to ask questions. At one point, one congressman who rose to ask a parliamentary inquiry was simply ignored, as if the presiding officer was blind and deaf.
I myself was not spared, when I indicated my desire to explain my objection to the motion to approve the resolution. I was denied the right with the threat of simply being ignored like my other colleague.
The “Lone Ranger” Cha-Cha , where the Senate is likewise ignored by the House of Representatives convening itself as a Constituent Assembly, is immoral and smacks of political arrogance in that it practically ignores public opinion, legal advice and processes and institutional courtesy.
The haste with which it was calendared and forced to a vote exemplifies the House’s distorted sense of priorities, with the Cha-Cha resolution edging out important and urgent measures such as the Agrarian Reform Bill. It goes to show that if the leadership really wants a measure passed, it can do so, in contrast to other measures which languished in the legislative mill without meriting the leadership’s attention.
Finally, the viva voce vote on such a significant measure clouded any semblance of transparency, denying the people the knowledge of how their representatives voted on the resolution to amend the constitution. As a result, accountability for their votes is nil, allowing the members of the House to hide under the cloak of anonymity.
Although drowned out by the majority “yes” votes, my “no” vote is one that I will hold myself accountable to, and am proud to say is reflective of my constituents’ sentiments on the matter.
Congressman Ruffy Biazon represents the District of Mutinlupa, and is affiliated with The Liberal Party of The Philippines. More also at his website
June 3, 2009 at 11:32 am
Who are the other “no” votes? How come so few “no” votes?
June 3, 2009 at 11:40 am
Ironic, isn’t it when one considers WHO VOTED for the very bozos that comprise this House of Representatives. :D
It’s simple, really™ — Pinoys deserve each other, for it is said: you reap what you sow.
June 3, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Binay fell back onto the standard explanation as to why the “no’s” lost the vote. The majority “yes”- congressmen did not vote according to their constituents’ wishes or according to their conscience, the yes-vs-no vote was decided by the release of pork barrel funds.
June 3, 2009 at 8:43 pm
“…you reap what you sow.”
You too will.
June 3, 2009 at 11:49 am
When we had that bloggers’ forum yesterday on RH Bill, I never imagined that the HR 1109 would get approved. I am angered and appalled at the actions of those congressmen.
Right now, we are still under the 1987 Consitution. I’d like to believe that the 1987 Constitution that established the Philippines continues to be a “democratic and republican State”, where “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them”.
Hear ye, I strongly oppose the constituent assembly.
Shame on those other useless congressmen!
June 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm
What Caesar giveth, Caesar can taketh
If the electorate can VOTE representatives into Congress
The electorate can RECALL and REPLACE their representatives.
If the electorate can show the same enthusiasm for RECALLING and REPLACING the representatives, who they voted for, and who are now no longer acting in their behalf – or push back, there is an opportunity for changing the current balance of forces in congress.
****
Raffy, may your tribe increase!
June 3, 2009 at 12:01 pm
But by virtue of their being elected by POPULAR VOTE, the people DID IN FACT give these congressman the AUTHORITY to speak and act on their behalf.
So this thing about sovereignity “residing in the people” has not been breached in any way here it seems.
- :D
June 3, 2009 at 12:03 pm
B0:
Perhaps, a case can be made for a plea of temporary insanity. :lol:
June 3, 2009 at 12:42 pm
You have a point there but these elected congressmen should be more attuned to the needs of their constituents. Just because they got elected does not give them absolute right.
June 3, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Of course. We can appeal to the goodness in their hearts all we want after we’ve elected them, but unless there are legal avenues to hold them to that standard under threat of whatever in between elections, we’ll simply have to live with the reality of what we as the source of “sovereign power” have unleashed until the next election (if there will be one).
For now, as I said to Jeg, we can cry “Bloody Muder!” at the top of our voice all we want the same way a 4-year-old can throw a tantrum over not getting what he wants. The fact is, they are sitting on the seats of power in their airconditioned offices while the ordinary Pinoy schmoe is sitting in his stuffy barong-barong whining about how his “sovereign power as a voter” is being made a mockery of.
June 3, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Ironic, isn’t it when one considers WHO VOTED for the very bozos that comprise this House of Representatives
Let’s say I voted for Bozo to represent my interests, then Bozo turns around and does everything against my interests. By Benny’s logic I have no right to cry bloody murder because I voted for Bozo. No wonder DJB thought you were a fascist. Are you? And no weasel words this time, ok?
June 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Jeg:
Benny was just rubbing it in :lol:
imho, this being a special case, charter change, there should at least have been townhall meetings conducted by all congressmen in all their districts – complete with minutes of the meeting and transcript of deliberations – no exceptions. by neglecting this process of getting the consensus of the constituency, the representative expressed a position that was against his constituency. But he would never know because there was no townhall meeting.
Under such circumstances, if it were up to me, a representative’s vote should be deemed null and void if he cannot produce the documentation of the townhall meetings that led him to cast his vote in the manner he did.
But that’s not how it works in the Philippine Congress, if voters can exercise the option of RECALL – that will send a strong message – shape up.
June 3, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I never voted for these BOZO’s because I never have voted in my life yet I never exercised my right to vote because I feel it will all be wasted. But just two weeks ago I registered I wanted to vote. But then these BOZO’s did this and I see no election coming. This scares the sh*t out of me. What will happen to our country, what will happen to our children. What will happen to all of us!
June 3, 2009 at 12:12 pm
By all means, Jeg you can cry “bloody murder” at the top of your voice in the middle of a major highway.
That’s your prerogative as a thinking citizen of a Republic that upholds the right to free speech.
But what then after that?
I’m no political “expert” so my question is, are there legal avenues for reversing what these DULY ELECTED “representatives” did ON BEHALF OF their constituents?
As BongV mentioned earlier:
Is there a legal way of “recalling” and “replacing” elected officials?
If there is one, then by all means, lets go for it.
But my point remains stuck on the broader reality of the way we regard evaluating and electing our representatives and gov’t officials.
It’s ironic that everyone is SHOCKED by the behaviour we are seeing and the surprise we exhibit upon finally seeing what kind of principles our elected officials live by. Because last I recall, we did not evaluate them using that criteria when we were in the process of electing them.
It’s simple, really™ — though not for the small-minded. :D
June 3, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I knew you were gonna say that :lol:
The Constitution states that the COMELEC shall define the implementing guidelines for recall. If there are already existing COMELEC regulations on recall, then the avenue can be pursued.
Maybe this time around, there will be a slight change and a reevaluation of the criteria for selecting officials in elective positions. Still, that’s a big IF – the bozos who voted for those asses are willing to hold the asses accountable, RECALL and REPLACE with representative that are in communion with their constituency..
June 3, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Many of the Metro-Manila voters want the “yes”-congressmen to be voted out. What about the constituents of these “yes”-congressmen, does anyone care what they think? Has anyone checked if the voters back in the provinces want their congressmen to continue on?
June 3, 2009 at 12:43 pm
UP:
Thus, the need for documented townhall meetings.
June 3, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Rom provides another piece of sane advise to those fear mongerers who’d rather describe themselves as “revolutionaries”: Get a grip.
Kung baga, mga bay, stidi lang kayo dyan.
The trouble with a democracy in a vacuous society is that it allows a whole bunch of Drama Queens to run around naked screaming Bloody Murder! :D
June 3, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I didn’t expect the HR 1109 to get approved. Steady lang ako noon. But now, after what just happened…I express my opposition to the Con-Ass and let it be known through my blog to those who care about democratic process. Steady but vigilant is still the way to go. Never again will I be complacent. Not at this time.
June 3, 2009 at 1:28 pm
It’s not really about whether we are “complacent” or not.
It is really about:
:D Whether the right thinking is applied when evaluating candidates;
:D Whether the quality of the “national debate” is up to scratch; and,
:D Whether our sense of accountability over our role as participants in a democratic form of governance is clearly understood.
You see people like some “reporters” here making “analyses” about this and that political party and the who’s who of who’s in these parties. Yet beyond that you find NOTHING in the way of what ideas and philosophies these people and these “parties” uphold being discussed, analysed and debated.
And then we act surprised when those ideals and philosophies — which we did not evaluate — suddenly rear their ugly head in between elections such as in times like this.
Pinoy nga naman talaga…
June 3, 2009 at 1:37 pm
you make things as simple as they can get. Not knowing what happens in many of the local races, where one party literally fields a candidate and no opposition to go against said candidates.
You fail to realize the reality on the ground is that voters must pick the lesser of two evils each and every election.
And it just so happens, in the last election, the machinery of both Lakas and Kampi had more money, more candidates in the local races, and thus pulled out their majority victory.
I agree with you on some points benny, not all. most specifically, on your “simple” approach.
June 3, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I don’t know which Pinoy you speak about. How do you know that? You talk of media. How do you know what the rest of the country feels?
I don’t speak for the rest of the Pinoys as you keep saying, Pinoy Nga Naman Talaga. I know what I fought for in the past and never again will I allow it to happen. I understood my role in this society and to this day, I choose battles worth fighting for.
Don’t generalize Pinoys.
June 3, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Si Benigno nga naman. We are facing something serious here and all you have to say is we should have applied the right thinking etc. Well, the fact is the horses are out of the barn so to speak – these politicians are already in power and are possibly setting up GMA as Marcos clone. We do not have the luxury of doing analysis-paralysis type of reaction because something has to be done to stop these people. We can not wait for the next election since there might not be one. This is what happened to one country in South America. For a time there, they could have stopped this guy but the people did not seize the opportunity and now he looks like he will be their leader for life.
June 3, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Rosa:
What we are seeing now, is the result of our electoral choices – FRANKENSTEINS!
Either we put up with the asses or shut em down.
*****
Nick:
The lesser evil is a consequence of people choosing to vote for trapos. It used to be that there were some really good guys who ran, but they never had a chance as the DE sections of voters wouldn’t even look at you if you didn’t have mullah – the market demanded swine – and so they get swine in congress.
So today, maybe once in awhile you get good guys, but more often than not, you get a gangster candidate.
June 3, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Whether the right thinking is applied when evaluating candidates;
Pfsh. Youre still operating under the assumption that there are rational voters. Aber, how would your brilliant self evaluate a candidate? By the way he or she makes speeches? Pfsh. Youre as gullible as the next voter, even with your philosophical kaek-ekan. One criteria is as good as another. Voters dont know the candidates. What they do know is whether or not the eventual winners are screwing them over. They know this by tangible indicators: Am I better off now than before?
Voting is an act of hope. And when a voter senses that the hope they placed in the person they voted for is being dashed against the rocks, they dont cry, ‘Mea culpa, it’s my fault, I voted for this bozo.’ They cry, ‘We voted for you for a reason, buddy. We placed our hope and trust in you. You gotta go, by whatever means, legal and peaceful preferably, we have in our power.’
Whether the right thinking is applied when evaluating candidates;
Pfsh!
June 3, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Accountability is important. But there is a reason betraying the public trust is an impeachable offense.
Joe
June 4, 2009 at 12:24 am
Jeg:
Right on the spot, Jeg!
June 3, 2009 at 4:08 pm
And look here, Benigs, I’m just taking my gun out, and look I’m just putting it out of safety and just pulling back the hammer. You think I’m gonna kill you?
June 3, 2009 at 1:38 pm
There have been consultations galore about Cha-Cha and the applicable areas for review/reform. At every level.
This RESOLUTION, not law, does little to nothing in changing any law, any constitutional word, anything.
It is disingenuous to claim that the people have clearly stated that they don’t want Cha-Cha. The survey people refer to asked if Cha-Cha is acceptable IF IT IS USED TO EXTEND THE TERMS OF THE SITTING POLITICIANS, ESPECIALLY GMA.
There is plenty of evidence that there is a broad concensus for fixing a clearly flawed constitution.
June 3, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Disingenuous is a voice vote on a country-defining measure rammed through the House without the dignity of an open and honest committee or floor debate.
Joe
June 3, 2009 at 1:55 pm
As most of you are, I was angered with these recent events. But later fueling my anger were fellow Pinoys I encountered just today. They neither cared nor knew what was happening. When I started to explain, one grew impatient, irritated, and furthermore, declared never to vote again.
One big hurdle as we see, is that not everyone understands what’s going on. Oh but people will listen if they’re interested.
These same people are the ones fascinated by the scandalous news about sex videos and a suicide of a personality’s wife, that they never stop talking about these. Now tell me, how do you make the people listen to what actually matters?
June 3, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I’m angry that time is being wasted. I am angry that they would introduce a matter in the worst timing. I am angry they are giving more reason for the disillusioned to be more so.
And then I am angry at the people who are again taking this chance to react negatively, in the sense that they say they don’t care and will never vote. That events like this prompt them to say “Wala na talagang pag-asa ang Pilipinas”.
June 3, 2009 at 2:10 pm
What exactly angered you, penelope? Congress passed a mere resolution by majority vote. The resolution is toothless. No laws have been introduced or changed. Any changes in the Constitution would still have to go through very time-consuming stages and would have to hurdle very high hurdles (3/4 votes, SC, plebescite).
There will be elections in 2010 and all can vote. That’s the reality.
Maybe people understand what’s going on and don’t feel that it amounts to much. Which is why most of the media didn’t even follow what some screamers were calling “a historic vote”…which, of course, is total BS.
So again, penelope…what is making you so angry?
June 3, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Somthing smells. Why the rush to get this vote. Votes can be bought. The senate could be outvoted due to joint voting. SC are all appointees of Arroyo. There are other issues that are more important than charter change. We have an upcoming election so why not wait for the election results and work with the newly elected officials.
Why does this not bother you. Are you one of these officials who kowtow to Arroyo, are you a relative of one of these officials
June 3, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I’m angry that time is being wasted. I am angry that they would introduce a matter in the worst timing. I am angry they are giving more reason for the disillusioned to be more so.
And then I am angry at the people who are again taking this chance to react negatively, in the sense that they say they don’t care and will never vote. That events like this prompt them to say “Wala na talagang pag-asa ang Pilipinas”.
June 3, 2009 at 2:58 pm
No definitely not a relative of any officials. I don’t kowtow to anyone (other than my wife, of course).
The push for ChaCha has been 22 years in the making. It is not new. It has always failed because of suspicions of those in power. The Senate will always be against any change which will eliminate the Senate. Senators also don’t wan to see the Presidency eliminated because that’s the next step for a Senator.
Since most actually agree that the Constitution needs to be changed, there needs to be a way to open up the venue for debate and reform. But every new Senator and Prez will always want to block ChaCha. So it never happens. The poorly constructed, confused and anti-progress Constitution just keeps sitting there, sickly.
So the idea is to get the SC to decide if the unclear Constitution demands 3/4 of all Congress to vote…or if it’s 3/4 House, then 3/4 Senate. If the SC says 3/4 combines, then the next Congress can actually, finally, belatedly fix the rotten parts.
This is NOT about term extensions for this batch, nor about keeping GMA on the throne. Of course, certain sectors keep trying to pretend it is. That’s why I suggest a reality check. Find out the real story on your own; don’t believe contentions which are easily disproved. That’s my position, at least.
June 3, 2009 at 3:12 pm
You should have a reality check. If this is pushed by someone who will only be in power for only the next 11 months and she stands to benefit, one should listen to what comes out of her mouth with extreme caution. The fact that the minority opposition were muzzled and only five were allowed to speak before the voting already shows that democracy in the Phil. is being trampled. If there is to be a debate and reform, it should be done after the 2010 election. Precedence has shown that all bills that have been approved goes to voting in the congress then to the senate SEPARATELY and NOT jointly. Again you did not anwer me, why the HASTE
June 4, 2009 at 4:10 pm
if i were correct, rep. dilangalen pushed for the discontinuation of the rest because all of the speeches were the same and they did not present any new argument for the plenary to listen. delaying tactics na lng daw.
June 5, 2009 at 4:24 am
How can Dilangalen say that, he has not heard the rest of the speeches. It is obvious they have already made up their minds and they would not want to waste any more time to anyone having a contrary opinion no matter how entitled the opposition are to being heard. They were all in a hurry to get this approved. I would not even be surprised if there was an order to have the bill be approved on an exact time ala militar.
June 3, 2009 at 5:02 pm
You sing like the house shill, Reality.
June 3, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Just taking the liberty to disabuse our minds.
Given that there had been earlier words in that direction such as the party merging, the resolutions 1109 and 737 filed, the committee hearings held for the purpose, the announced assurance that many signed up for 1109, and the actual voting – all these tell us one thing – Chacha is NOT the Lone Ranger in the House, in the end.
Welcome to FV.
June 3, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Joe, perhaps you need to catch up with the details of various issues before making attacks on people for simply laying out some facts.
For Rosa and penelope (and you too, Joe) — both Pimentel and Fr Bernas today (and Villafuerte last night) said that this resolution is toothless and that there is no way any changes could be done pre-election. They all have stated that the voice vote on a resolution in fact changes nothing.
Are they admin shills, too? Kowtowing to GMA? No. They know the facts and know reality.
Bernas also reiterated that many changes to the Constitution are necessary.
So…this is what I’ve been saying. And those who are running around like the world is on fire are not aware of the actual reality, or are purposefully creating fear for alternative and unrelated reasons.
June 3, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Saying it is not going to affect anything has nothing to do with how, at least I speak for myself, I am reacting.
Fr Bernas himself answered ‘be angry’ when asked how we should react.
Just because I had not lost anything from when a thief tries to steal from me, does not mean I should not be affected by it.
June 3, 2009 at 8:13 pm
If this is such a constructive process, why were so many legislators asking to be heard silenced? Why are people marching in the streets.
The issue is trust.
Ms. Arroyo has lost the trust of most of the country.
This middle of the night voice vote does nothing to engender trust.
If it can’t be dealt with until after the election, why did it have to be rushed through in a way that undermines the people’s trust?
Do the good House people not know there is a crisis of confidence in the country? Why would they inflame it?
For me, I think whatever was rotten in Denmark has been shipped to the Philippines. Probably in the middle of the night. Probably beneath the radar.
Joe
June 3, 2009 at 8:42 pm
The exercise is a trial balloon.
People are calling the bluff.
June 4, 2009 at 2:57 pm
no Bernas said we should be outraged, Mr. RealityCheck alias GMA apologist
June 3, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Interestingly, there is at least one section in Article VII (Executive Department) wherein the phrase “of all its members” is also employed, in which the manner of voting is specifically prescribed–“voting jointly”:
“Section 18 … The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation [of Martial Law] or suspension [of the Writ of Habeas Corpus].”
June 3, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Most or all of the constitutional experts agree that the Constitution is vague and/or contradictory. The most commonly cited reason for this is that parts of the Constitution was written with the expectation that Congress was going to be unilateral, while other parts were written based on the concept of two chambers (the unilateral approach lost by one vote, I believe). That’s why certain parts resemble (were crafted by using) older, yet different, Constitutions.
Hence the confusion. Hence the issue has never been settled. Hence the reason to force the issue to the SC…so that it could finally be resolved.
June 3, 2009 at 8:20 pm
The constitution indeed needs a re-write. That is not the issue. The issue is how to do it so that the People subscribe to it. The matter being forced to the SC is not whether or not the constitution should be re-written, but HOW it is to be re-written.
I get more suspicious every time I read one of your notes. Please tell me you are not getting paid to stick up for this bowl of rotten fish.
Joe
June 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Don’t call me a liar, Joe. I work for myself. I am a businessman with a family. I pay my taxes. I care about this country and it’s future. I owe no allegiance to any party or any politician. I support policies more than the proponents thereof. Pls don’t go down this road…especially since it’s irrelevant anyway.
The people are not in the street. You’re new in the Philippines aren’t you? There are some small groups who keep showing uo again and again for these fiestas. And no one else joins them.
Meanwhile, the oppositors got 5 hours to register their objections. That must be a record for a resolution…by magnitudes.
Yeah, the SC is being forced to settle a constitutional infirmity which has left the issue unresolved.
June 4, 2009 at 12:06 am
“The people are not in the street.”
RealityCheck:
Don’t rejoice yet. You just might get what you don’t want to see. Have patience.
June 4, 2009 at 7:48 am
I didn’t call you a liar. I asked that you confirm you are not here because of some agenda. I think you are quite an intelligent person. I don’t understand how you can support a PROCESS that is so undermining of public trust. We agree the Constitution needs reworking. How best to get the public’s trust? THIS way?
Joe
June 3, 2009 at 10:22 pm
So WHOSE fault is it that it seems OUR REPRESENTATIVES can be bought?
June 3, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Depends on the POV layer :
Layer 1 – Rep is at fault for not doing the right thing.
Layer 2 – The folks who appointed a can’t-do-anything-right Rep
Layer 3 – A political culture and the dominant criteria for selecting an elective official (winnable vs best-fit-for-the-job)
Layer 4 – A parochial culture of governance (damn the voters as soon as am elected, time to recover the money i used to buy the votes – oh lookie it is mama-san)
June 3, 2009 at 11:07 pm
precisely BongV, what benign0 is trying to point out for so long a time is true with the event that is happening right now.
there is just something that is fundamentally wrong with us as a people and as a country.
We have been debating with the same problems since the 1992 elections and yet we always find ourselves stuck with the same predicaments over and over again.
unless we change our fundamental flaws as a people, this will just be a chronic ailment.
June 3, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Folks,
However we felt and thought about what they did last night when the entire 90 million Filipinos across the land – were sleeping, drinking in bars, watching lewd shows, playing majong, driving out of town, making love with the neighbor – the sad fact in all these is that we all see it coming.
It is not as if 1109 or 737 or any similar version thereof have not all been opposed, all been protested, the sponsors themselves even possibly ‘ostracized’. But again, the Queen is a trophy for men – her desires they always give. And why not? She holds the key to the treasury.
Who is the congressman in his right mind who will not kowtow to the whim of the Queen if doing so will compromise P20 of his congressional development fund? Is he not the one to bring him the bacon to his district, to his party?
This is money politics, men. Pera pera lang yan, or what else is it?
June 3, 2009 at 11:48 pm
This is money politics, men. Pera pera lang yan, or what else is it?
exactly. folks got the government they deserve :lol:
when padre damaso, sez, take the money, and vote for your candidate anyways – well based on current criteria for selecting candidates – there ain’t much difference between one candidate to another so… people sold their voted for peanuts, and wind up with monkeys in congress who are beholden to gorillas.
como gente, como el gobierno
June 3, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Who is the congressman in his right mind who will not kowtow to the whim of the Queen if doing so will compromise P20 of his congressional development fund? Is he not the one to bring him the bacon to his district, to his party?
Primer:
This is exactly the kind of reasoning that reminds one of the word …. CORRUPT.
June 4, 2009 at 7:44 am
Bingo. Damn, Primer, I agree with you. You are up to 30% already.
Joe
June 3, 2009 at 11:44 pm
I should say P20 m on top of P70 m. This must be the grand payola of all time.
June 3, 2009 at 11:45 pm
If there is anyone to blame, it must be the members of the Fourth Estate and to each one of them across the tri-media – SHAME ON THEM!
June 4, 2009 at 12:37 am
como gente, como el gobierno
shame?
l’etat, c’est nous
June 4, 2009 at 1:36 am
The situation now was planned long beforehand. First, they bribed
Congressmen. Then, they have surveys to project election results.
In truth, they see they cannot win the Election. Finally, they are
forcing CHA-CHA and CON ASS to our throats. They have their Media
PR people, positioned on all sources of information. To demonize
anybody who opposes them.
We have to protect opposition figures. To be sure they dont get
jailed in Camp Karingal. Or driven to exile. Continue the protests.
If they will continue to amend the Constitution.
June 4, 2009 at 3:14 am
@Ruffy
hi! you are my congressman! (i live in muntinlupa)
may i ask a question, being your constituent and all…
are you against charter change?
or are you against this HR coz of “undue rush “?
thanks!
June 4, 2009 at 6:38 am
I understood the Congress’ default setting. It was in 2006 when DJB, I think, explained it first – in the comments section of his blog post “Western-style Democracy.”
However, as in a computer, some types (read: NOT ALL) of default settings may be altered or customized by the user.
The HOR is persistently trying to customize the uncustomizable “voting separately” default setting. In so doing, I abHOR them.
June 4, 2009 at 8:17 am
liam,
Just get hold of Inquirer and Philippine Star after that ‘midnight deal’ as to what the first and second reported, respectively.
That is speaking of print media alone. Are you French? Spanish? That does not make you any smarter than a 5th grader. Joke lang po!
June 4, 2009 at 11:03 pm
No matter what we write and even shout here at FV those congressmen who voted for Con-Ass would never ever listen or bother to read a line here. Their hands are now itching for that P 20M.
But as taxpayer, we have our lethal weapon too! Let us see if we start not paying any taxes through legal means mentioned by one blogger in another issue here at FV. Obviously, those congressmen (except cong. ruffy) are wasting the taxes we paid with this Con-Ass. Our taxes fuels the running of the entire government machinery and a reduction of that fuel means a slowdown if not choking of its functioning.
Without taxes, the projected deficit for 2009 of more than P 200 Billion, low tax collection effort and stimulus fund will blow up on their face. BSP easing of interest rates and pressure to government to boost fiscal spending and our country’s very low GDP growth for first quarter of .4% (NCSB mentioned that it is teteering into rescession) reveals a very deep economic problem. Never mind the propaganda voiced by other sectors that we will not go into rescession.
What do you think cong. ruffy?
June 4, 2009 at 11:10 pm
err..i mean “recession” not rescession.
June 4, 2009 at 11:50 pm
Civil disobedience sounds good. Please provide specifics.
Also, factor in, who are paying the bulk of the taxes.
Points of clarification:
1 – Can an employee request an employer not to pay his withholding tax?
2 – How about the underground economy? – how do they figure in this since this group does not pay taxes.
3 – How does one deal with the BIR before and after the civil disobedience campaign so that the loss in revenue due to the campaign is demonstrated glaringly.
4 – How do we deal with the penalties imposed by BIR due to nonpayment during the civil disobedience campaign.
June 5, 2009 at 5:51 am
I think trying to make the economy worse (by non-payment of taxes in protest) hurts too many people. Too many people live at the edge of poverty. There are other forms of protest that do not hurt people in the wallet.
I also think violence is not what the Philippines needs now. The world watches. It needs rational leaders.
Joe
June 5, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Joe, civil disobedience is milder than a people’s revolution. The former hurts the wallet, the latter will snuff out lives. But then, when other alternatives failed, is there another choice by the people? Isn’t it true that when people’s back is unto a wall and nowhere to go he’s forced to bite the bullet?
I sincerely hope that we won’t be forced to bite the bullet. Sincerely as in sincerely…with all my heart and emotion.
I’m sure all you guys do too!
Let’s all hope for the best, the ball is not in our hands yet.
June 6, 2009 at 6:01 am
Yes, agreed. You are in good form today, Bert, I would note from other posts.
Joe
June 5, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Bong,
You should not call my argument that of the corrupt.
It is all about Skinner – the ‘Skinnerian brutes’ you once told me about?
He, he, minsan gago ka magisip bong.
June 5, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Primer:
As far as this thread is concerned, I take the word “gago” as a compliment :lol:
Your argument is not corrupt – your argument describes CORRUPTION.
The activities you described in your activities – pera pera lang yan – are activities that are CORRUPT.
Now, if you say, you approve and condone such practices (if not actively participate in it) – you can come to your own conclusions on what I (and others) will conclude.
June 6, 2009 at 3:02 am
mi amigo, under moderation pa reply mo, binanggit mo kasi si Voldemort :lol:
uunahan ko na ng reply ang reply mong under moderation :D
anyways, it’s all good homey – no harm no foul, señor cabellero
June 6, 2009 at 1:32 am
bong,
You keen instinct never cheats on you. It’s a compliment, not a curse. Just being cavalier once in a while.
For my part, I do not condone what they did with HR 1109. The heroes in this struggle, however in fact they failed to arrest the storm, are Golez, Casino, Hontiveros, Satur, most of the progressive-minded party list, and some other souls – who may have pretended to be against 1109 when in truth are for it.
Unfortunately, we cannot accurately say that those who signed 1109 resolution are to be condemned since in the actual voting, it was done by viva voce precisely so no one from the bozo kingdom gets alienated, excommunicated, or demonized.
Clearly, they know the tricks from the books.