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Friday, March 31, 2006
Muslim execs back Charter sign drive
By Lizanilla J. Amarga
LOCAL Muslim leaders voiced mixed reactions over the People's Initiative signature drive launched to introduce changes to the Constitution.
Congressman Danilo Lagbas of Misamis Oriental and lawyer Augusto Baculio Jr. voiced support to the signature campaign.
In separate interviews, Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA) regional director Ogie Gandamra, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional director Mandangan Darimbang, and Association of Muslim Professionals local head and Land Transportation Office (LTO) regional director Porcawa Dia voiced mixed reactions regarding this Cha-cha signature drive.
Gandamra said he cannot stand in behalf of the entire Muslim community but that personally he is for Charter Change but through Constitutional Convention.
"Kasi for me this is the most logical if you talk of revision, ang PI limited kana sa amendments not revision," he said. "Can't speak for entire Muslims. Muslims have different views."
Darimbang for his part said they are for changing the Constitution and that, as a private individual, he would support any mode in realizing this endeavor.
"Muslims are for Charter change and me as a private individual will sign," he said.
"We are for Charter change in any manner because we believe the Constitution needs revisions to make it consistent with the present trend both economically and politically," he added.
Dia for his part said he is in favor of changing the Charter for "progress and development" as this could "reduce the too much politicking in our present system."
"Since time immemorial we have been adopting the present system but nothing happens," he said.
He cited how countries in Asia with presidential form of government are "very poor like ours and Indonesia" and thus, it is "high time high time for us to change."
"As president of the Muslim Professionals here, I appeal to our people to join for the caravan for unity, prosperity and progress. No country with divided people will ever attain development solidarity progress and security," Dia said.
Meanwhile, Lagbas Thursday also voiced his support for all local government officials who are pushing Charter change.
He said he is supportive of any mode of changing the Constitution including the controversial People's Initiative signature drive to shift the form of government from presidential to parliamentary.
"I am supporting those officials who are for Charter change," he said.
Baculio through his chief of staff Jun Barros said, "Congressman Baculio expresses deep admiration for the efforts exerted by Mayor Emano, the barangay captains, and the municipal mayors in this signature drive."
He then apologized that the congressman failed to personally assist in the signature campaign.
"Congressman Baculio would have wanted to personally help in gathering the signatures but he was bogged down with the budget hearings in Manila," Barros said.
But Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno believes that this signature drive will only be declared as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
This as the High Tribunal has already declared in a well-settled decision that there is no sufficient enabling law for changing the Constitution through People's Initiative.
(March 31, 2006 issue)
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