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)