Showdown over con-ass looms; even some LGUs against it

For the first time in decades, three rallies will be staged by Church-dominated groups on Dec. 15 in Negros Occidental to oppose the House push for Charter change through a constituent assembly (con-ass).

Although the Church is reportedly just the prime mover in the mass protest against the con-ass rammed by the ruling majority of the House, some local government units also joined the fray by expressing disgust with the "unusual and unholy haste" employed in pushing through the Cha-cha train for a constituent assembly.

The first of these local officials were the members of the Bacolod Sangguniang Panglunsod who signed an omnibus resolution for Congress to respect the Constitution — and the legally ordained schedule of the May 2007 elections and not to undertake efforts to prevent or delay the exercise.

They also reiterated their resolution for a constitutional convention as the mode of amending or revising the basic Charter.

In Dumaguete City, Mayor Agustin Perdices and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ local chapter also said they are opposed to the move of the House of Representatives to push for a con-ass to amend the Constitution.

Perdices dubbed the move as bad for the economy because it is divisive. He cited the position of different sectors of society, especially the religious sector, against con-ass.

Like most people, he said he favors amending the Constitution through a constitutional convention.

IBP Dumaguete chapter president Rodrigo Icao said there is a need for amendments, but not through a con-ass. "It should be through a constitutional convention," Icao said.

Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, former UP president, said during his recent Dumaguete visit that changing the Constitution will not solve the problems of the country.

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra said Thursday that the House majority’s insistence on amending the Constitution through a con-ass at all costs "is very ugly and vested interest is very clear."

"What they are doing is very garapal," the Bacolod prelate stressed.

Actually, Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, CBCP president, called on Thursday for a national watch and prayer in all major cities and dioceses to express opposition to the "hasty and manipulative way" by which con-ass is being pursued for Charter change.

Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai had called on his followers to a prayer rally tomorrow to accent their objection to the way the House had voted for amending the Constitution through a con-ass.

What made matters worse was the leaked report that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had distributed envelopes containing P20,000 to P30,000.

But this week’s protest action, insofar as the Church is concerned, will be peaceful and will involve more prayers than marches.

The CBCP suggested that there should be no streamers or flags of any group, except those with the message "No to Constituent Assembly," "Yes to Constitutional Convention," "No Postponement of May 2007 Elections."

Archbishop Lagdameo stressed that the message should be communicated in prayer and songs, not in rowdy speeches.

Warning of the crisis-laden prospects of a hasty Charter change, the Jaro prelate pointed out that the gravity of Charter change and the perceived consequence of a shift in the form of government demand rational discernment, discussion and debate, not in turbulence but in serenity, peace and unity.

Rodolfo Parreno said a province-wide caravan three days before the rally is being planned to inform the people on what is happening.

Rodolfo "Babes" Alvarez, of the Negrenses United Against Constituent Assembly (NUNCA), said they will also join the Church-sponsored gathering on Dec. 15 and other anti-con-ass rallies.

"The House is ramming con-ass down the people’s throats in a despicable manner. This is the kind of politics we are going to get if we allow them to get what they want," Alvarez pointed out.

Well, for the moment, Speaker Jose de Venecia must have been surprised by the ugly reaction of the populace. He and his group may have swallowed more than what they could swallow. They did attain, though, what they had originally wanted — a House uniting behind his leadership. But that is something one would wonder about — at what price?