Thursday, December 04, 2008 Editorials: All those Cha-cha worries
OUR leaders’ penchant for talk does not always make the public feel good; often, the verbal assault sparks misplaced anger, if not unnecessary worries, among the people.
The latest concern is Malacañang’s Charter change (Cha-cha) effort, started by President Arroyo’s supporters in the House and popularized by her p.r. machinery.
The reaction from the political opposition, civil society types, militant groups, even some bishops was like the deluge is just around the bend and is about to engulf us.
There’s raving and ranting, on radio and television especially, rallies are being held and there are even warnings of a
Thailand-type situation if Cha-cha pushes through.
Worse, rumors of renewed restiveness in the military are being spread around.
Not possible
In a way, this over-reaction may be borne out of honest fear that Gloria, an unpopular president, would succeed in ruling us for life through the magic of Cha-cha.
And it could serve its own purpose: the raving and ranting and warnings about the deluge could hopefully deter the Arroyo administration from pursuing its sinister scheme.
But it could also become a nightmare, generating too much fear about nothing.
This is because in the current political setup and public temper, there is really no way that minions of President Arroyo could succeed in ramming Cha-cha through.
Long process
If one were to be objective about it, amending the Constitution is a tedious process, one that needs the support not only of political leaders but majority of Filipinos.
In Congress, the Senate, controlled by the political opposition and dominated by noisy presidentiables, acts a stopper to the rampaging Arroyo minions in the House.
And it is doubtful if the Supreme Court, even if already filled to the brim with Arroyo appointees, will give its imprimatur to the constituent assembly maneuver designed to exclude the Senate or mute the voice of senators in the Cha-cha process.
Need to calm down
The point is that the deluge is not around the bend and there is nothing much to worry about the maneuver of the Arroyo administration to push the Cha-cha process forward.
It would be good for the country’s health, then, not to be hysterical on the issue.
