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Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Oledan: Cha-cha
By Radzini Oledan
Slice Of Life
PEOPLE'S initiative is an important component in democratic governance. It puts in place the foundation for the exercise of the basic right to participation, expression and ensures that everyone is taken account in the development process.
However, the powerful few governing our institutions can also maneuver participation in the grassroots. It is the same practice, which has allowed the approval of numerous programs and projects, both government initiated and non-government organization--led groups in which funds are not properly utilized for its purpose.
National officials are again citing "people's initiative" in the move to amend the 1987 Constitution. Indeed, any move to amend the constitution should spring from a deep felt need from the people on the ground that such instrument has become unresponsive to the prevailing realities and conditions of ordinary people.
Under the Constitution, the proposal to amend the constitution can only be done in three ways. One, by Congress, after three-fourths of all its members agree to constitute themselves into a Constituent Assembly and another is by a constitutional convention which may be organized either upon approval of two-thirds of all members of Congress, or upon approval by the electorate after a majority of members of Congress agrees to submit the question to a referendum.
The third option is through a popular initiative or upon a petition of at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three percent of its registered voters.
Popular initiative did not push thru. Instead, Malacañang created the Consultative Commission, which is composed of 41 representatives from civil society groups to form the team tasked to revise the constitution. By the 15th of December, the group is scheduled to submit its proposal to the President who will then transmit it to Congress for proper action.
In effect, the Consultative Commission becomes the technical working group of Malacañang. How these civil society representatives were chosen and the coverage of their representation of public interest remains to be a question.
Whatever way, there are reasons for ordinary people to be wary about. For instance, the charter change seeks to allow 100% foreign ownership in retail trade, utilities, mass media, and lands.
It will also pave way for the justification for greater trade liberalization, deregulation, and privatization, which currently run in direct contrast with the current constitution.
There is a need to go beyon consultation and transparency. If indeed charter change should be undertaken, it must be in the context of building a truly independent and progressive nation that looks after the interest of basic social sectors and does not pay lip service to sustainable development.
But then again, who decides for the public? Whose interest will prevail in this dance of cha-cha? Tinkering with public policies which do nothing but protect foreign interests have done untold damage not only to our economy but also to the lives of ordinary Juan.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (December 7, 2005 issue)
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