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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Espinoza: ‘People‘s initiative’: unconstitutional
By Elias L. Espinoza
Putting extra uniformed and plain clothes policemen on the streets is a better option in securing the heads of states that will be attending the Asean summit in December than making Metro Cebu a ghost town.
This was the position espoused by Mandaue City Mayor Tadeo Z. Ouano that earned him the ire of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña when Ouano opposed Osmeña's proposal to declare a four-day holiday during the summit.
In keeping with Ouano's position, Mandaue City recently purchased urban assault firearms that will be issued to policemen who will secure the city during the summit. The policemen will also be trained, Ouano said.
Anyway, Osmeña eventually got what he wanted when President Arroyo signed a proclamation declaring a four-day holiday in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu during the summit.
I must admit I was naive in my assessment of President Arroyo. Now I know she and Osmeña have the same mindset when it comes to security matters.
This explains why the President issued Proclamation 1017, which declared the country under a state of emergency, at the slightest rumor of a coup d'etat.
I suppose Arroyo could also have approved another Osmeña intention, which was to place Cebu under virtual martial law during the summit, had it not looked too extreme for the local situation.
With the four-day holiday, we will have a long vacation. But will that bring people away from the streets or malls? The answer remains to be seen.
But I am sure owners of business establishments, especially shopping centers, are frowning at the proclamation since it would mean additional labor cost. They could not close shop during the summit because it falls during the Christmas season.
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The Malacañang-inspired "people’s initiative" calling for the shift from presidential to a parliamentary and unicameral form of government is not only illegal but also unconstitutional.
The "bright boys" in Malacañang must have overlooked the fact that there is no enabling law on "people’s initiative." Congress has not passed that law, which would have allowed the pertinent provision in the Constitution to operate.
"People’s initiative" means the people are the ones taking the necessary steps to change the Constitution and not the Department of Interior and Local Government or some congressmen.
I therefore understand the outrage of opposition senators over this issue. After all, once the Constitution is amended, the Senate will also be abolished.
And while we can only surmise the true intention of this administration in pushing for Charter change through "peoples' initiative," some suspect President Arroyo merely wants to stay in power longer.
Are we in for a "Marcosian rule"?
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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