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Thursday, March 30, 2006
Ong: Denied twice
By Ted Aldwin Ong
Misreadings
THE signature drive dubbed as a people's initiative from Malacañang was inserted under "pressing national concerns" during the simultaneous barangay assemblies held last March 25. The debate is now centered as to whether it was an initiative of the people or it was done to collect signatures in support for charter change without proper consultation from the people.
It was obvious from the start that it is not a genuine initiative coming from people in the grassroots. This is reflected during the short discussion and presentation of resource persons tasked to present the issue among the residents of different barangays.
In our barangay in Dulonan, Arevalo, there was very low turn out of attendance during the general assembly. The dismal attendance reflects the poor participation of the people in the village on the concerns of its community. Whatever were the factors that will justify the low turn out of attendance speaks a lot on the kind of leadership of Punong Barangay Editha Castillo and the rest of the barangay officials.
Barangay assembly is an opportunity of the people to interact with its elected barangay officials on activities and projects for the development of the entire village. It must have broad participation by the people especially that it is being only twice a year.
The assembly last March 25 is exceptionally important for the issue on charter change will be presented and signature forms were already being circulated under a house-to-house campaign. The people tasked to gather signatures were either barangay officials or volunteer workers in committees formed by the barangay council.
I find it rather idiotic that many village heads denied giving authorization to anybody that is campaigning for signatures. I doubt that such a national signature drive will be circulated in the villages without the knowledge and authority of leaders in the barangay.
What the barangay council could have done was to call for a public forum and present to its constituents the issue on charter change for proper discussion and debate. To derail the proper process and deny broad people's participation on a significant issue that of changing the charter is irresponsible on the part of our barangay officials.
I view this exercise as a move of the Arroyo administration to secure more power for its regime to assert legitimacy. But President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has to share the excesses of authority that will be secured through charter change and among those who will directly benefit from this exercise are our barangay officials through an extension of terms.
So why deny participation in the signature drive for the arguments is already established and the process has ensured the pre-arranged disposal of spoils in the post-Chacha scenario.
The barangay as a basic political unit of society cannot isolate itself in this political exercise and so is the Filipino people scattered in the communities all over the country. Comments to tao.ssi@gmail.com.
(March 30, 2006 issue)
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