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Saturday, January 14, 2006
Reyes: Will the people dance to Cha-cha?
By Hazel de Los Reyes
CHA-CHA is a very famous ballroom dance. It is one of the favorites of many Ilonggos because of its easy and simple steps.
Well, there's another kind of Cha-cha --- Charter Change, another favorite topic among us ever since Senator John Osmeña proposed such, plus the change in our form of government last May 2004.
Then, Speaker Jose de Venecia proposed that the form of government be changed from unitary-presidential to federal-parliamentary, hoping that the implementation will happen because of the people's initiative.
During the presidential scandal of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last July 2005, former President Fidel V. Ramos supported her on this proposal despite the withdrawal of support from political allies.
He proposed the August-February timeline to commence the charter change. During her State of the Nation Address (Sona) the President pushed through the debate of Charter change in congress.
Yes, the debate is in the air -- it's in the Senate and the Congress.
Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said that the Charter change would lead to more political instability. The Constitution should not be worked upon by the temper of the times. It should not rise or fall with the tide of events, she said.
Senator Mar Roxas supported the statement by saying that the country is already divided and this might worsen it. He said that this change is a nuclear option.
Senator Edgardo Angara, meanwhile, said that the prevailing system is a slow motion route. He added that we need political restructuring in order for us to advance and develop.
People said that it is not the issue of constitutional change but the issue of the Filipino people who are still struggling from poverty and economic problem.
The recent poll showed that 70 percent of the Filipinos believe that President Arroyo's call to amend the Constitution is unnecessary. Many said that what is necessary is the immediate change inside those who are governing our country.
Charter change will just change the name of the constitution but not the status of the government, the country and of the people.
Actions are more needed than for us to debate on this issue. We cannot escape from the problems of our country if we just focus our attention on this matter. There are many things, which are of great importance that need our attention.
Presidential or parliamentary, our Constitution will never change if politicians bicker with each other. Changing our Constitution cannot just simply change our lives.
Cha-cha: the name that is debatable and is now a favorite topic of the many but, if I may ask "Will the people dance on cha-cha?"
(January 14, 2006 issue)
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