Chartering change

I sense a growing consensus among politicians, business persons and academics that amending the Constitution will be beneficial for the country. Rather, the debate and disagreement seem to be centered on the extent and timing of change. Some advocate basic changes that will only cover the “obvious” editorial lapses committed amidst the haste to pass the 1987 Constitution such as providing the bicameral Congress with two representatives to the JBC.

There are those who wish to focus solely on economic provisions arguing that the restrictions do not reflect current technological realities, impair our global competitiveness and hinder our ability to attract more foreign investment. In this regard, the suggestion by one of the Constitution’s framers and former Supreme Court Justice Adolf Azcuna to insert the phrase “or as may be provided by law” to these provisions is a quick, practical fix that deserves a serious look.

Finally, there are certain quarters batting for a revision of our current political structure. Some believe that a parliamentary form is more efficient than the grid lock prone presidential form. Others advocate a change from a unitary to a federal system of government arguing for further decentralization of power to the regions. Still others are pushing for a mixture of these options.

But there are two D’s getting in the way of Charter change — Distraction and Distrust. Some say that there is no urgency in amending the Constitution and that mounting such a campaign at this time will compete with the more pressing matters needing the government’s attention. On the other hand, there are those who argue that now is the best time to undertake the challenge given the popularity and trustworthiness of the President.

There is distrust if the task of amending is left solely to Congress. The people are wary that once the Constitution is opened, the process may turn unruly and all sorts of amendments may be introduced.

To meet these two objections, may I provide my four centavo suggestion:

Similar to but without the costs associated with a people’s initiative, we should encourage the formation of a multi-sectoral group led by well regarded non-political personalities to draft the proposed amendments to the Constitution. This group should consult with the various sectors including government representatives.

Only if there is sufficient buy-in from the stakeholders will this draft be presented to the leaders of Congress. The latter will be urged to commit and sign a document containing the specified amendments. This document should be well publicized. Congress can then convene as a Constituent Assembly to ministerially pass the pre-agreed amendments.

A “finished or not finished,” pass your paper time line will be provided as the ratification by the people will coincide with the 2013 Senatorial elections.

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Going coconuts: I received a thoughtful email from comebacking Senator Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay Jr., “bragging” about his latest venture — a coconut nursery he started last March using the family’s idle land in Castillejos, Zambales. The former chair of the Senate agriculture committee who investigated the fertilizer scam during the previous administration recounts his farmer exploits as follows: 

 Of the 4,400 coco seednuts of the dwarf variety that we imported from Davao, almost half have begun to sprout. We should transplant such by end of August when the leaves are from 3 to 4 inches.

We partnered with the Philippine Coconut Authority which provided the nuts while we spent for the shipping of a 20 foot container from Davao City to North Harbor, and then hitching the same to a tractor trailer to be delivered to Castillejos, about 180 km northwest of Manila.

The whole exercise cost us P100,000 for shipping and delivery, with the startup, management and maintenance costs so far reaching about P70,000. A part-time trusted former manager and two families are being paid a salary plus free use of part of the 15 hectare private land planting their own Cassava plants.

We are hoping to replicate this project all over Zambales, and we have spoken to some mayors, the Vice-Governor, and the Governor himself to identify families and or government owned land, eg, State colleges, etc., as possible sites to develop coconut planting and farming.

All are excited and should be ordering their own container loads of coco seednuts.

We need more nurseries and more individuals who are passionate to grow new trees all over the archipelago as did the Filipinos of the past who were required to plant 200 or so trees a year per family during the Spanish colonial period.

Thanks again for the support provided by the PCA staff in Zambales who have been visiting our farm on a biweekly basis to show our farmers the correct ways to handle the first batch. Hand-holding and more research on basics are the order of the day.

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Celebrating Ignatius: July is special for the Jesuits as its month’s end commemorates the feast of its founder, Ignacio de Loyola. Towards this end, the Ateneo de Manila invites its alumni to come “home” today, July 21, take part in the first Ignatian Festival. Working with the theme “Atenista Ako, Kadiwa ni Ignacio,” a full day of activities has been lined up at its Loyola Heights campus. For more information about the event, log on to www.ateneo.edu.

To honor the soldier saint and relatives who heeded his call to service, let me give this week’s four centavos to the ordained Jesuits (as opposed to the many Jesuit-trained) in our family, led by my 88-year-old uncle, retired Theologian and college professor, Antonio Bautista, and my first cousins, Norberto or Kit, Ateneo Grade School Headmaster, and Ramon, former Master of Novices, but currently on sabbatical. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

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Greetings: Birth anniversary best wishes to Francis “Kiko” Simbahan.

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“Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him.” — James Allen

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