Kaya Natin!

http://blogs.inquirer.net/philippineelections/2009/06/03/no-surprises/

THE recent approval of House Resolution 1109 by the congressional allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo clearly shows that this present administration will put out all the stops to ensure that it will stay in power beyond the 2010 elections.

HR 1109 will allow the members of the House of Representatives to convene itself into a Constituent Assembly with or without the consent of the Senate, a co-equal legislative body as stated upon in our present Philippine Constitution.

Clearly, we now see that we have a House of Representatives that is dominated primarily by Congressmen who do not represent their constituents’ sentiments and beliefs but the interests of a few ruling elite in our country today.

News reports have said that the President and her cohorts used the allotment of the Pork Barrel as bait for the Congressmen to sign the resolution.

As if adding insult to injury, instead of working until the wee hours of the night to ensure the passage of pro-poor laws such as the Extension and Reform of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARPER), the allies of the President chose instead to pursue its objective of pushing for Charter Change before it adjourns its session on June 3.

Yet, I am no longer surprised that this happened given the track record of this present administration in destroying democratic institutions in our country today.

It started with Hello Garci in the 2004 Presidential polls wherein the President admitted and apologized on national television for making contact with a COMELEC official in the middle of the canvassing of ballots.

Up until today, the people who took part in this electoral fraud have not been held accountable for their actions. It is also in this administration, we have seen those who have the courage to tell the truth are harassed and put into jail such as NBN-ZTE Star witness Jun Lozada.

While those that have been implicated in several corruption scandals continue to freely roam around, enjoy lavish lifestyles and travel all around the world. Now, they are making a mockery out of the House of Representatives, the members of which are supposed to be one of the first ones to ensure the proper protection and interpretation of the law.

Thus, I am also not surprised why in the most recent Pulse Asia survey, majority of the top Presidentiables in our country today come from the opposition given that majority of Filipinos now are just counting the days until June 30,2010 when one of the most unpopular Presidents in our history finally steps down from power.

This is the reason why I’m sure that any attempt to try to railroad Charter Change will not succeed because the Filipino people will not allow this present administration to stay in power beyond 2010.

Well, if I’m wrong and the President’s minions will continue to push for their self-serving Cha-Cha then I wouldn’t be surprised as well if blood will eventually flow in our streets.

We hope and pray that this scenario will not happen for the sake of our country and every Filipino.

A quick announcement: Con Ask: A Forum on HR 1109 featuring former Ateneo Law School Dean, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J. will be held on June 4, Thursday, 4:00pm to 5:30pm at the Colayco Pavillion, MVP Center for Student Leadership, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Harvey S. Keh is Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG). Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com