Kidapawan Students Hold Concert, Protest Vs. Charter Change

Members of the National Union of Students of the Philippines hold a concert-rally Sunday, July 26, 2009 against Charter change in the southern Filipino city of Kidapawan. President Gloria Arroyo’s allies in Congress are pushing for amendments in the Constitution that could prolong her into power beyond 2010. Arroyo is to hold her state of the nation address on Monday, but militant and progressive groups vow to hold a nationwide rally to protest Charter change. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Groups Opposed To Charter Change Hold Forum In Cotabato City

About a thousand people attended a forum on anti-charter change at the Notre Dame University in Cotabato City in Mindanao on Wednesday, July 8, 2009. (Photo by Michael Madamba)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 8, 2009) – Civil and progressive groups opposed to proposals to change the Constitution held a forum on Wednesday in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines.

About a thousand people trooped to the Notre Dame University where the forum was held to listen to resource persons discussed proposals by allies of President Gloria Arroyo to amend the Constitution.

The proposal could prolong the stay of Arroyo who is to step down next year when her term ends.

Representative Satur Ocampo, of Bayan Muna Party List, spoke about his group opposition to the passage of the House Resolution 1109 which would convene a Senate-less Constituent Assembly that would tackle the changes in the charter.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who is one of those campaigning to amend the Constitution, said the changes are needed to introduce economic and other important reforms.

Ocampo said:”It is a total sell-out of national patrimony and sovereignty if we shall let this to happen. It is the future of the next generation which is at stake.”

He stressed some critical points that people should consider to resist charter change and among them are proposed amendments to “obliterate” nationalist provision especially on economic restrictions which does not allow 100% foreign ownership on lands, mining, shipping and education, among others.

One of the forum’s organizers, Pastor Orlando Zambrano, of the United Methodist Church, also expressed his dismay of what he called “Arroyo’s minions in lower congress which is to prolong the term of the president.”

“Her allies primarily working out to change the present presidential to parliamentary form of government through charter change, which is the only way for her to escape lawsuits and prosecution of corruption and plunder charges. Another term in favor of Arroyo as a president of this country would mean another burden to Filipino people.” Zambrano said.

Zambrano, who founded the group called “People’s MARCH,” issued a unity statement that reads:

We, the people’s movement against charter change or people’s march, express our strong opposition to House Resolution 1109, which would convene the House of Representatives into a constituent assembly (Con-Ass), and any move to amend the constitution perpetrated by the politicians who currently hold power.

The Filipino people cannot entrust the future of this country in the hands of those who profess to be selfless leaders while instigating or deliberately acting as complicit in massive graft and corruption, human rights violations and the sellout of our sovereignty.

A switch to a parliamentary form of government is not the key to solving any of the problems the country is facing. The problem does not primarily lie in the form of government or in the constitution. It is in the kind of leaders running this country.

We condemn the incessant attempts of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions to press on with charter change despite the public’s disagreement. Their greed and lust for power are truly appalling.

We believe that charter change is nothing but a ruse to keep President Arroyo in power and to advance the interests of the elites, foreign capitalists and the unscrupulous politicians.

We also believe that President Arroyo, fearing for her and her family’s prosecution for their involvement in corruption charges, human rights violations and other crimes against the Filipino people, is exhausting all means to remain in power.

We vow to stir the minds of the people to the true agenda of charter change and its would-be consequence to the lives of Filipinos. We vow to mount pressure against charter change. We vow to resist the money, power and influence of those advancing cha-cha.

We will not allow a despot and her cohorts to continue to plunder our coffers, trample on the sanctity of human rights and give up our vital resources to foreigners.

We call on everyone to take a stand and join us in resisting cha-cha. Now is not the time for apathy. We cannot afford to be fence sitters when the good of the country and our fate as a nation are at stake. (With a report from Michael Dumanba)

Anti-Charter Change rally held in Zamboanga City

About 200 mostly students joined an interfaith rally Friday, June 19, 2009 in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines to protest moves by allies of President Gloria Arroyo in Congress to change the Constitution. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Jung Francisco and Jonathan Deles)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 19, 2009) – About 200 mostly students joined an interfaith rally Friday in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines to protest moves by allies of President Gloria Arroyo in Congress to change the Constitution.

The rally, which lasted several hours, was held at a public square called Plaza Pershing in downtown Zamboanga. Security was tight around the plaza, which was previously bombed by rebels. Soldiers and policemen were deployed around the area.

Political activists have been holding street protests in Mindanao and denouncing the proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Militant groups and other people’s organizations, including opposition politicians, have criticized the passage early month of the House Resolution 1109, which seeks to turn Congress into a Constitutional Assembly, paving the way for changes to the Constitution.

Protesters previously held rallies outside the congressional office in Davao City and house in Manila of Speaker Prospero Nograles, a key ally of Arroyo.

“There is nothing more obvious than the actions made by Malacañang, through its allied congressmen, to cart off the barriers to cha-cha’s realization. The passage of HR 1109 speaks for their intentions to railroad charter change before the 2010 national elections and maintain Gloria Arroyo’s top post as prime minister,” said John Birondo, a Bayan spokesman.

Birondo urged the public to stay vigilant and oppose changes in the Constitution which could extend Arroyo’s term beyond 2010.

Arroyo is to step down next year when her term ends, but her allies in Congress are campaigning to amend the Constitution.

Activist said amending the Constitution would eventually prolong Arroyo's stay in power. Nograles said the change in the Constitution is needed to introduce reforms in the economy, among others and not to extend Arroyo’s terms.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud has made her extremely unpopular among Filipinos. (With reports from Jung Francisco and Jonathan Deles)

Anti-Arroyo Protesters Hold Rally In Kidapawan City

Anti-Arroyo protesters hold a rally Thursday, June 11, 2009 in Kidapawan City in Mindanao to denounce the proposed Charter change being pushed by members of the House of Representatives who are allied of the President. Arroyo is to step down next year, but her allies in Congress pass HR 1109 and are pushing to amend the Constitution unilaterally which the oppositions say is meant to prolong the stay in power of the President.

(Mindanao Examiner Photo / Geo Solmerano)

Gonzalez: 'I think Arroyo will run again'

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will run again in May 2010 if efforts to change the form of government from presidential to parliamentary through a constituent assembly succeed, according to newly appointed Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, the former justice secretary said he believes that Arroyo will run for a parliamentary seat in Pampanga so she could be elected as Prime Minister in 2010 in case the current efforts to change the charter through a Senate-less constituent assembly materialize.

"I will not be surprised if the President will run as Member of Parliament," Gonzalez said.

He said threats by opposition presidential aspirants that they will support efforts to file graft and corruption raps against Arroyo after she loses her presidential immunity on June 30, 2010 are helping encourage Mrs. Arroyo's desire to stay in office.

"[I think she will run] lalo na there are so many threats against her naman. Every announced candidate said he will prosecute her. Aba'y 'di... that's a factor, of course," Gonzalez said.

He admitted to having pushed President Arroyo to run for the presidency in 2004 despite having previously announced that she had "decided not to run" so she can help unite a divided nation.

"I was the one who asked her to run again," Gonzalez said. As a result, Mrs. Arroyo received a lot of flak for not keeping her promise.

Gonzalez said that this Arroyo as prime minister scenario will only happen if the 1987 Constitution is changed, and the form of government becomes parliamentary.

He said this is why he is supporting House Resolution 1109 calling on Congress to convene as a constituent assembly in order to amend the 1987 Constitution even without the Senate.
Gonzalez said the Constitution is vague on whether a constituent assembly without the Senate is allowed.

Thus, he said it is necessary for the Supreme Court to settle this ambiguity as soon as possible.
Gonzalez said prospects for a successful charter change via a constituent assembly are declining the longer the process takes. (With a report from Julius Babao, ABS-CBN News)

abs-cbnNEWS.com 06/10/2009 7:22 PM

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Link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/06/10/09/gonzalez-i-think-arroyo-will-run-again

GMA most distrusted public official; Palace blames critics

A political activist during an anti-Arroyo rally in Mindanao.

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Arroyo posted the highest disapproval rating and was the most distrusted public official, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey, which also found Vice President Noli de Castro to be most liked.

“Filipinos are most appreciative of the performance of Vice President de Castro and most critical of the work done by President Arroyo,” Pulse Asia reported Monday.

In its May 2009 survey, de Castro attained the highest approval rating at 53 percent, while President Arroyo had the highest disapproval rating at 46 percent.

“De Castro enjoys the highest approval ratings [ranging from 41 percent to 63 percent], while President Arroyo posts the highest disapproval ratings [from 43 percent to 60 percent] in all geographic areas and socioeconomic classes,” Pulse Asia reported.

Mrs. Arroyo’s low approval rating of 26 percent has been almost the same for most of the past four years, according to the survey firm.

But House Speaker Prospero Nograles attained the lowest approval rating among the top government officials, with 20 percent.

After the Vice President, Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno received the second-highest approval rating with 34 percent, followed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile with 32 percent.

After the President, Nograles posted the second-highest disapproval rating with 34 percent, followed by Enrile (26 percent), Puno (25 percent) and de Castro (21 percent).

Pulse Asia reported that between February and May 2009, there were no significant changes in the overall performance ratings of these top government officials.

Ratings on trust

The survey added that “public trust is the predominant sentiment only in the case of Vice President de Castro, while public distrust is most pronounced in the case of President Arroyo.”

“As in the case of public approval, Vice President de Castro gains the highest overall trust rating [48 percent] among the country’s top government officials. In contrast, it is President Arroyo who scores the highest disapproval and distrust ratings [48 percent and 46 percent, respectively],” Pulse Asia said.

For trust ratings, Enrile and Puno were tied at second (28 percent). Mrs. Arroyo had a 25-percent trust rating, while Nograles was the least trusted by respondents, with 17 percent. As for distrust ratings, second to President Arroyo was Nograles with 37 percent. They were followed by Enrile (29 percent) and Puno (28 percent).

De Castro was the least distrusted with 22 percent.

According to Pulse Asia, the overall trust ratings of these top government officials mostly remained constant between February and May 2009.

Pulse Asia’s latest survey on approval and trust ratings of top government officials was conducted from May 4 to 17, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 representative adults age 18 years old and older.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent at the national level, and plus or minus 6 percent in the area level.

Pulse Asia said it conducted the survey “on its own without any party singularly commissioning the research effort,” and that “no religious, political, economic, or partisan group influenced” its undertaking.

Critics to blame

Constant attacks and criticisms from the opposition makes President Arroyo even more unpopular to the people, Malacañang said also on Monday.

“I think the opposition is just talking about all the negatives about the things that the government is doing,” Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei Fajardo said in a press conference. “They are highlighting the negative side of the leadership of the President, rather than dwelling more on the positive sides and accomplishments of the administration.”

The spokesman added that the President’s unpopularity could also be blamed on her focus to do the right things, rather than the popular things. “The President has decisions in the past that were not popular to the public, like in tax [hikes]. But she knows [that] in the end people, will understand it.”

Fajardo added that the survey result was merely a manifestation of public perception and could not be the representation of reality. “I want to make it clear that it is the perception of the people based on the surveys, but this is not necessarily the truth. It’s not necessarily the real feeling of our people. This is just based on 1,200 people surveyed.” (Rommel C. Lontayao And Angelo S. Samonte / Manila Times)

Link: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/june/09/yehey/top_stories/20090609top6.html

Activists hold rally in Mindanao, criticize proposed Charter change

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 3, 2009) – Political activists held a rally on Wednesday in Davao City in the southern Philippines, denouncing the proposed amendments to the Constitution by President Gloria Arroyo’s allies in Congress.

The protesters, many from the militant group called Bayan and other people’s organizations, also criticized House Speaker Prospero Nograles, a key ally of Arroyo, for the passage Tuesday of the House Resolution 1109, which seeks to turn Congress into a Constitutional Assembly, paving the way for changes to the Constitution. They held the rally outside Nograles' congressional office.

“Gloria Arroyo and her political allies in the lower house headed by Nograles are making their biggest crime against the Filipino people with their attempts to fulfill charter change.”

“There is nothing more obvious than the actions made by Malacañang, through its allied congressmen, to cart off the barriers to cha-cha’s realization. The passage of HR 1109 speaks for their intentions to railroad charter change before the 2010 national elections and maintain Gloria Arroyo’s top post as prime minister,” said John Birondo, a local Bayan spokesman.

Birondo urged the public to stay vigilant and oppose changes in the Constitution which could extend Arroyo’s term beyond 2010.

Arroyo is to step down next year when her term ends, but her allies in Congress are campaigning to amend the Constitution.

Militant groups said amending the Constitution would eventually prolong Arroyo's stay in power. But Nograles said the change in the Constitution is needed to introduce reforms in the economy, among others.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo’s political party Kampi last week merged with two of the country’s major parties - Lakas and CMD – and the President declared that the merger is a strong assurance that national and local elections will push through in 2010.

“Malacañang pronouncement that it will push through with the 2010 elections is no difference to the lies it said with the ‘Hello Garci Scandal’, ‘NBN-ZTE Deal Scandal’, and the rests of the controversies involving Gloria Arroyo, her administration, and the First family,” Birondo said.

He said more rallies are expected in the coming days in Mindanao to protest the proposed changes in the Constitution.

“For our lawmakers to break the laws and pursue something unconstitutional, and act against the people’s will, is clear arrogance. They don’t deserve to be respected and be regarded as the people’s representatives. What the people urgently need amidst the worsening global financial crisis are resolutions from the Arroyo government that will ensure jobs for the workers, lands for the farmers, quality and accessible education for the youths, food and shelter for the urban poor, and free health services for everyone,” he added.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud has made her extremely unpopular among Filipinos. (Mindanao Examiner)

Filipino activists to resist moves to change Philippine Constitution, urges public's vigilance

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Unsurprised by the decision of the House committee on constitutional amendment to railroad charter change, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said it is ready to fight any move that seeks to amend the constitution and prolong the stay of President Gloria Arroyo and her allies beyond 2010.

Bayan, whose members are mostly political activists, warned the public to be as vigilant as ever considering that Arroyo's group is out to pursue amending the Constitution.

"The Arroyo administration has uttered so many lies in the past and for so many times was caught doing so. Its offhand posturing on the issue of charter change won't buy any trust from the people, whom it deceived during the "Hello Garci" controversy, the NBN-ZTE deal scandal, and many others that have not yet come out to the open," Bayan spokesperson John Birondo said in a statement.

"What can be more obvious than to see Rep. Prospero Nograles, the Speaker of the House and Gloria Arroyo's staunchest ally in the House of Congress, doing the groundwork for the final operations of charter change that Malacañang can deny its participation in it?" Birondo added.

"More incredibly, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile's "ok statement" for a constituent assembly to merely discuss and approve amendments on economic provisions of the constitution can expunge the fact that charter change is Malacañang's only hope for Gloria Arroyo's term extension."

"The design and machinery for charter change are now evidently working to destroy all legal impediments to its completion. The arguments on how charter change will be taken-up, either by constituent assembly or constitutional convention, would require the Supreme Court's intervention and it is no co-incidence that the upcoming appointments of SC's new justices will happen amidst the railroading of charter change. This goes to show that Gloria Arroyo's upcoming appointees in the Supreme Court are designed to be seated in their positions to ensure that a constituent assembly be formalized to take-up charter change," Birondo added.
Bayan stressed the urgency of social change that roots from the needs of the people for stable jobs, higher wages, land to till, decent shelters, affordable prices of basic commodities, access to social services for health, food, and education, and the respect for human rights.

"We are set to begin our barangay forums this month to educate the people of Davao about the real contents of charter change vis-à-vis the worsening global financial crisis. This effort is in cooperation with the city's local government units and other people's organizations under Bayan," Birondo said.

Dipolog Holds Anti-Chacha Rally

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 28, 2008) – Residents held a rally on Wednesday in Zamboanga del Norte's Dipolog City protesting a government proposal to change to Constitution.

Dipolog Archbishop Jose Manguiran led the rally. President Gloria Arroyo is to step down in 2010 when her term ends, but her allies in Congress, led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, are campaigning to amend the Constitution and at one point proposed to turn the lower house into a constituent assembly that would tackle changes in the fundamental laws on the land.

Militant groups and political activists said amending the Constitution would eventually prolong Arroyo's stay in power. Arroyo's allies said the change in the Constitution is needed to introduce reforms in the economy, among others.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term. In the charter change proposal suggested by her political allies who dominate Congress, she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud has made her extremely unpopular among Filipinos. (Mindanao Examiner)

Thousands Of Filipinos Rally Vs. Charter Change, Arroyo's Stay In Power Beyond 2010

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 12, 2008) – Thousands of angry Filipinos gathered Friday in the country’s financial district in Makati City to protest a government-backed proposal to amend the Constitution that would eventually prolong President Gloria Arroyo and her allies in power.

Militant groups and progressive organizations, including church leaders gathered took turns in criticizing Arroyo for moves to change the Constitution. Arroyo controls the majority in the House of Representatives, but the Senate vowed to oppose sinister moves to amend the Constitution that would prolong Arroyo’s term beyond 2010.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Rep. Mikey Arroyo, the President’s son, are pushing for changes in the laws of the land, saying, it is needed to introduce economic reforms, among others.

“We hate Arroyo. This country is in ruins and her government rocked by scandals left and right. We don’t need them, all those who are pushing for charter change because they have vested interests too and that’s to prolong their stay also in office,” said John Santa Maria, a local resident.

Rep. Liza Maza said she will continue to oppose Arroyo’s attempt to stay longer in power.

“Undeniably, all these sinister strategies for charter change would clearly benefit President Arroyo and her cohorts. It is never an act directed to resolve the pressing concerns of extreme poverty, rising unemployment, massive human rights violations and systemic corruption in the government.”

“This will only worsen the plight of the Filipino people knowing that the brains behind this plot have nothing but greed and guilt,” Maza said.

Political activists also held protests in Davao City and denounced Nograles’ campaign to change the Constitution.

“This activity highlighted the people's broadening consensus against charter change. Gloria Arroyo and her political allies in the Senate and in the lower House can never be successful in their attempt to change the constitution,” said John Birondo, Bayan party list spokesperson, said.

”We will stay on guard of the situation. In fact, our ongoing dialogues with other more individuals and organizations within and outside the city are now leading to a broader composition of an anti-cha-cha (Charter change) movement,” he said.

Bayan also criticized Nograles, who proposed to change the Constitution to allow foreign ownership of the country's lands and natural resources.

“While our unities primarily delve on protecting our sovereignty and national patrimony, there is no way we will allow Gloria Arroyo to stay in Malacañang longer than she is supposed to,” Birondo said. “The Filipino people can no longer afford to have more of Gloria Arroyo's fascism, corruption, and deceits.”

Arroyo's allies in Congress have earlier proposed to amend the Constitution to change the system of government from presidential to parliamentary or federalism.

Under the presidential form of government, Arroyo is allowed only one six-year term, but in the charter change proposal she can be elected as prime minister should Congress dissolve the Senate and change the system of government to parliamentary and eventually prolong her into power beyond 2010.

Arroyo deposed President Joseph Estrada in a people power revolution in 2001, but corruption scandals in her government and allegations of poll fraud in 2004 has made her extremely unpopular. (Mindanao Examiner)

Scrutinize move to change Charter, faithful urged

NAGA CITY, Philippines (CBCP / Dec. 11) - “The faithful should go out of their way to examine and find out the truth on the real intent of lawmakers on why they want to change the Charter now and why they want to do the amendment themselves through a Constitutional Assembly.”

This was the statement made by Caceres spokesman Fr. Jay Jacinto when asked by CBCPNews on how he personally views the plot being hatched at the House of Representatives by the closest allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Jacinto said in order to get a balanced view of this initiative at the lower house, we should try to see first the advantages they cite that changing the charter will bring to our people and country.

“It is but right that we listen to what the proponents say; from what we hear from them, we can start to dissect their sincerity and find out the truth on why they are bent on pursuing this endeavor,” Jacinto said.

However, the cleric hinted he doubts the sincerity of the proponents’ intentions.
“I see the timing to be inappropriate as it will be self-serving for the lawmakers with term extension for the President and for themselves as among the agenda,” he said.

He said there appears to be a grand plan and script being followed for the charter change which could result to term extension for many incumbent officials, as noted in the today’s events.

“The ouster of former Senate President Manuel Villar, the looming change in the leadership at the lower house after Speaker Prospero Nograles said he is in favor of a Constitutional Convention instead of a Constitutional Assembly as proposed by the President’s men, and the signature campaign for solons pushed by Presidential son Representative Mikee Arroyo all point to one direction,” he added.

He also sees the impropriety of seeing the same people who will work for the realization of their own political ends via a constituent assembly in which they themselves will benefit as they can extend their term with the possibility that there will be no election in 2010.

“It will be grossly inappropriate if congressmen and senators will do the amendment themselves; nothing can prevent them from working on provisions which will directly benefit their political strategies and personal interests,” Jacinto further disclosed.

“Let our eyes be open and let us be ready to move as Filipinos, should leaders who are supposed to represent our sentiments fail our expectation on this issue,” Fr. Jacinto concluded. (CBCB - Elmer Abad)

Photo: Filipino activists hold anti-Arroyo protest in Davao City

Members of the progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan stage a rally Friday, December 5, 2008 in Davao City in the southern Philippines to protest Friday the Arroyo-backed proposal to change the Constitution. The group slammed the proposed amendment granting foreign investors 100% control and ownership of the country's natural resources, industries, and public utilities and the extension of President Gloria Arroyo's term beyond 2010 by her allies in Congress.

Lawyer calls for mass action vs poll postponement bid - GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines - With Malacañang's plans to stay beyond 2010 now made clear with a resolution in the House of Representatives, people should now band together and register their opposition, a civil society lawyer said Wednesday.

Law professor Harry Roque Jr said the resolution by Batangas Representative Hermilando Mandanas is by far the clearest proof that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her allies want to stay beyond 2010.

"Klarong klaro na ang paninindigan ng mga aktor sa ating larangan ng pulitika. Kinakailangan na ang sambayanan ang manindigan, at ang ating paninindigan at alam kong maraming sumasangayon sa atin, No to Cha-cha, No to Gloria (Recent actions of actors in the political scene have made the Arroyo government's intentions very clear. Now it is time for the people to unite and make their voices heard - No to Cha-Cha, no to Gloria)," Roque said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

He also said the resolution belies all the denials made by Palace spokesmen that Mrs Arroyo is not interested in staying on after her term ends on June 30, 2010.
Roque, one of the complainants in the latest impeachment complaint against President Arroyo, said the Mandanas resolution is meant to complement Congress' plan to kill the impeachment bid.

"Papatayin ang impeachment dahil ayaw matanggal ang presidente sa pwesto ngayon at ang talagang plano ng administrasyon, manatili beyond 2010. Kahit anong pagsisinungaling nila na wala silang intention at walang proposal na i-extend ang termino ni presidente ang katotohananlalabas at lalabas (They will kill the impeachment bid because the president does not want to leave power. Now, all their lies of being disinterested in term extension will go down the drain because the truth has come out)," he said.

House Resolution 550 seeks to postpone the 2010 presidential elections and extend the terms of office for all elective officials.

It is currently pending before the House committee on constitutional amendments.

House constitutional amendments panel chairman La Union Rep. Victor Ortega initially denied the term-extension provision but backtracked when lawyer Neri Colmenares confronted him with a copy of the resolution.

Colmenares added HR 550 has already undergone "initial deliberations" on August 12, 2008, adding that this was based on a report he secured from the committee secretariat.

"It is already in the agenda. That means they can already vote on it, even today or perhaps tomorrow. This proves that all previous assurances that there are no proposals for term extension being considered were misleading," he said.

The Mandanas resolution proposed that the presidential elections scheduled for May 10, 2010 be reset instead to May 9, 2011.(GMANews.TV - http://www.gmanews.tv/story/135732/Lawyer-calls-for-mass-action-vs-poll-postponement-bid)

GMA'S CHARTER CHANGE IS A BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST: The Black & White Movement

The Black & White Movement.

"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it" - Adolf Hitler

There is a confluence of events that belies the latest claims of disinterest on the part of the GMA administration concerning Charter Change and its evil twin, Term Extension. Her allies in the House of Representatives (HOR) have made short shrift of junking the Motion of Intervention filed by BnW co-convener Manuel L. Quezon III and fellow bloggers.

The HOR is now poised to kill the latest impeachment filed by lead complainant Jose de Venecia III. The ill-timed election of administration collaborator, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, as Senate President hobbled Senate opposition ranks. Finally, that terribly unfunny prayer by Press Secretary Dureza beseeching God to allow GMA to rule beyond 2010 was a trial balloon raised to gauge the people's response.

The Black & White Movement strongly condemns this latest naked attempt of GMA and her congressional lackeys to perpetuate their administration in power through Cha Cha via a Constituent Assembly.

Dureza's prayer was no slip of the tongue, and the imagined lukewarm response was enough to propel the HOR into Cha Cha motion. Never mind that GMA's trust ratings continue to flounder below sea level, that the HOR does not mirror the true feeling of its constituents, and that the people's eyes are trained on seeing elections in 2010.

GMA's contempt and disdain for the Filipino people allows her to focus on clinging on to power as a defense against accountability, and so the Cha Cha Train will reach the station, by any means.

All afternoon, as of this writing, various GMA cohorts in the HOR have disavowed being responsible for gathering at least 163 signatures to a resolution calling for a Constituent Assembly, as if it was a leprous animal, consigning blame to one or another House leader. These disingenuous declarations can only mean that they are embarrassed at being found out, but more than willing to be accomplices to a self-serving end.

Our warnings are justified by these latest actions on the part of this bogus administration; we thank GMA, her family, and her arrogant coterie of sycophants for their lack of 'delicadeza' for giving credence to our fears.

We beseech our religious leaders to speak out against this latest betrayal, to reiterate their call for radical reform and God-fearing liberators. We plead with the Supreme Court to continue to be a defender of the people's trust.

We continue to warn our people – if we do not show our indignation, if we continue to ignore these moves, if we do not make our loathing known, we could wake up one day finding our freedoms forfeited and our democracy trampled.

Our collective heart believes that GMA betrayed the public trust and should not stay a day longer in office.