More convincing voice

Instead of harping on the alleged 10 million signatures they have supposedly gathered, and engaging in name calling, proponents of Charter change through people’s initiative should concentrate on refuting the points raised by the "One Voice" group opposing their moves. "One Voice" at least has 80 identified individuals openly and clearly declaring their stand against the proposals that "take away power from the people and hand it over to those who have too much of it". But up to now nobody or very few know about the people behind "Sigaw ng Bayan". Only a single individual has so far openly come out and identified himself as "spokesman" of this shadowy bunch. He keeps mouthing rhetoric on the said 10 million poor and underprivileged Filipinos screaming for Charter changes that will finally give them strong participation in governance, based merely on unverified signatures gathered at enormous expense under dubious circumstances.

On the other hand, another spokesman of the so called Advocacy Commission admittedly created by Malacanang branded the people behind "One Voice" as "elitists" in reply to the points they raised that call for direct answers and categorical refutations. He and the other proponents have neither confirmed nor denied that their proposed Charter change would really: "take away our right to vote directly for the President; create a powerful Interim Parliament composed of incumbent politicians that would decide whether the 2007 elections will be held or not; create a super President with additional Prime Minister powers; open the door for those in power to stay on indefinitely; and weaken the Supreme Court as a check against martial law, abuse of power and violation of human rights". So far they have merely resorted to name calling. This stance only betrays the bankruptcy of their claim that in such short span of time more than 10 million people have, on their own initiative, proposed such a constitution that would, more specifically, take away their right to vote directly for the President who will be given additional powers as Prime Minister and open the door for those in power to stay on indefinitely by postponing the 2007 elections. In other words, the entire process of constitutional change that is taking place now is not really a "people’s initiative" but the initiative of the traditional politicians with a hidden agenda to prolong their stay in power by enticing the people with such "come-ons" like allegedly giving them a stronger participation in governance when the truth is exactly the opposite.

To be sure, our Charter really needs some changes. And some of the proposed changes are truly meritorious and would redound to people’s best interest and welfare. Unfortunately the package of good proposals has been spoiled by the surreptitious insertion of some transitory provisions that are obviously designed to suit the interests of some incumbents both local and national, especially those whose terms are about to expire and who are prohibited from further running for reelection to the same office. Apparently, they are the ones pushing for the ongoing people’s initiative despite existing jurisprudence that it cannot be done. They know that this system of initiative is the most viable of the three modes of changing the Charter under the present situation what with a "cooperative" electoral body and a Supreme Court which they believe may be convinced to take another look at its previous decision that was not so clear cut. If their "initiative" succeeds, they could hold on to their positions beyond their term limits or without running for reelection and spending money.

So "One Voice" sounds more convincing than "Sigaw ng Bayan". We really don’t need the proposed Charter change at this time. The more pressing needs are: first, a strong social reform program that requires (1) a sharper focus and visible action on safety nets for the poor in the areas of education, food, security, health and housing; (2) strict implementation of agrarian reform and environmental laws; (3) a serious and sustained fight against graft and corruption; and (4) increased representation in Congress and local governments for the truly marginalized sectors; and second, electoral reforms for a more trustworthy electoral system in time for the 2007 election which must be held to serve as an indirect referendum on the term of the present administration.

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