|
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Diaz: The credibility of a 'people's initiative'
By Cris Diaz
WE TALKED about the possibility of "No-el" (no election) next year. Although the opposition warned of a "political crisis" should an election be postponed, the Arroyo government is unfazed on the threat.
After successfully deflecting all possible moves to oust her from power, Arroyo is now confident that she can do anything she wants. She is confident that the postponement of an electoral exercise is not a problem anymore.
With the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the subservience of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Arroyo can ask no more.
In fact, her administration is now banking on the result of the "people's initiative" to pursue "charter change" before the scheduled local elections next year.
Once the people initiative succeeds, an election next year would be an election for assemblymen. The assemblymen will then represent in the Parliament. This is what the Arroyo government is fighting "tooth and nail" today.
In fact, it is of public knowledge that the local government is also pulling heaven and earth to make sure that the people's initiative, favoring charter change, gather as many signature (forge or otherwise) in their areas.
No one knows why local government officials are too fidgety on result of "people's initiative" campaign in their respective areas.
What the people understand is that Congress had initiated this move to suppress people and the opposition's apprehension on the propriety of the "people's initiative." To date, many have questioned its credibility.
Congressman Nograles, majority floor leader, also intimated that once the people's initiative gathered the required 3.5 million signatures, the Senate losses hand on it.
Nograles is aware that even if the people's initiative gathered the required number of votes (now, it is reported that it has already gathered some 8.3 million votes), the Senate will shelve its implementation.
Matter of fact, the Senate has initiated a counter move by gathering votes to reject charter change and the ouster of Arroyo.
Yet, with Arroyo's strong grip of the AFP and the administration's machinery, many doubt on whether the anti-charter change move would prosper. Notwithstanding, the Senate, along with non-government organization, is dead serious in pursuing the move.
If and when the people's initiative succeeds, Nograles said, a motion for the constitutional implementation of Charter change is directly forwarded to the Supreme Court for concurrence.
Once the Supreme Court finds it legal and constitutional, it is expected that the High Court will then order implementation of charter change.
This has enraged the Senate. It warns of a constitutional crisis once Congress by-pass its (Senate) legislative mandate. And, with the events unfolding it is likely that another "constitutional crisis" is brewing.
(Cris Diaz is a recipient of Rotary Club of Metro Cagayan de Oro's Best in Column Writing in 2000. For comments e-mail: cris_d1954@yahoo.com)
(May 25, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
