Church calls for protests

But CBCP appeals for nonviolent demos vs Con-ass

MANILA, Philippines—Leaders of the Catholic church are encouraging the public to hold demonstrations “in a peaceful, nonviolent way” to protest the House majority’s midnight passage of a resolution to convene a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution.

In its latest statement on the issue of Charter change, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines reiterated its position since 1997 that any amendment should be made through a constitutional convention with elected delegates.

“As we had said for the 2007 election, we say it again: Let the 2010 election push through and not be postponed. If there should be Charter change, let it be after 2010 and via a constitutional convention whose delegates are democratically elected by the people,” Jaro Archbishop and CBCP president Angel Lagdameo said in a pastoral statement issued Saturday.

“Therefore, we appeal to the House of Representatives not to pursue House Resolution 1109 convening themselves into a constituent assembly,” Lagdameo said.

He added: “We appeal to members of civil society who wish to publicly protest against HR 1109 to go on with their plan of mobilization to protect the common good and national interest.

“Express it in a peaceful nonviolent way in order that we may not fall into the trap that will necessitate martial law again. Learn the lesson from the past.”

Lagdameo also exhorted the people to address their “prayer for peace in our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

The CBCP first expressed its sentiment against Charter change in 1997, during the last year of the Ramos administration, when a proposal was made to lift term limits on elected officials, including a ban on presidential reelection.

In July 2003, it also spoke out against a proposed shift from the presidential form of government to a parliamentary system and a proposed convening of Congress into a constituent assembly to make Charter amendments.

And in January 2006, the CBCP reiterated that “Charter change is best done through a constitutional convention” and that “the reasons for constitutional change must be based on the common good rather than on self-serving interests or the interests of political dynasties.”

Said Lagdameo in the CBCP’s latest statement: “We then ask the question which needs to be asked again: Do the proposed shifts provide for greater decentralization that effectively devolves powers and enables civil society groups to participate more in governance?”

“We believe that at the bottom of our political chaos is a crisis of moral values, a crisis of truth and justice, of unity and solidarity for the sake of the common good and genuine peace.”

Free expressions

Malacañang will make no attempt to stop the planned street protests against HR 1109, including the nationwide rallies set on June 10, according to Anthony Golez, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s deputy spokesperson.

“Protest activities are free expressions protected by the Constitution and therefore respected by the government,” Golez said Saturday in Bacolod City.

He also insisted that the proposed amendment of the Constitution through a constituent assembly was entirely an action of the House of Representatives.

“We leave this matter to the independent co-equal branch of our government. At the end of the day, the people will still decide on its fate,” he said.

Civil society and militant groups have accused Malacañang of masterminding the passage of HR 1109, purportedly to allow Ms Arroyo and her allies to stay in power beyond 2010.

But Golez said: “The Palace does not have a hand in the recent move by Congress. Although we can’t deny that part of [Ms Arroyo’s] platform supports political and economic reforms through Charter change, the manner and the time as to how to go about it remain unknown because [these are] dependent on the decision of Congress.”

Golez reiterated that Malacañang’s assurance of elections in 2010 was clear.

He said the administration and the Commission on Elections were “geared up for it.”

Inviting senators to joint session

Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino of the new administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD said on Friday that HR 1109—which calls for a joint vote by the House and the Senate on proposed constitutional amendments—would be sent to each senator, and not the Senate, for endorsement.

But whether the senators endorse the resolution or not, the House would proceed to convene the constituent assembly, Antonino said.

The plan to forward HR 1109 to each senator for endorsement was intended to preempt protests by the Senate, Lakas-Kampi-CMD stalwart Prospero Pichay said on Saturday.

“When [the congressmen] hold the joint session, they won’t be accused of not informing the senators,” Pichay said in a phone interview.

“It’s some form of compliance—that they invited the senators to a joint session,” he said.

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Malacañang would respect the congressmen’s strategy.

“We may not necessarily agree with the decision, but we respect it,” he said on the phone.

Over radio dzRH, Bello said the executive department “can’t do anything” if the constituent assembly would lead to Charter change.

Told that Ms Arroyo, who chairs Lakas-Kampi-CMD, could rein in her allies in the House, he said: “That doesn’t apply at all times, especially when you’re talking about a serious political decision that is Charter change.”

Bello maintained that the party was preparing for the May 2010 elections.

He also reiterated that the House majority led by Speaker Prospero Nograles should dialogue with the angry public to head off another tense political situation.

Dona Pazzibugan, Philippine Daily Inquirer with reports from TJ Burgonio and Michael Lim Ubac in Manila; Carla P. Gomez in Bacolod City