Con-Ass is short term for Congressmen’s Asses

I am for Charter Change (CHACHA) long before for economic reason. I am from Mindanao and we saw and continue to see unfair distribution of public services. More social services and economic projects are concentrated in the Greater Manila. Mindanao is always the last priority. I even have the notion that war in small, actually very small, part of Mindnao has been used as their pretext of not giving enough social and economic support to this Promise Land. I even think sometimes that perhaps the people in Luzon must have been the architects of this little war so that projects will be poured only to them.

I believe that CHACHA could pave the way for a better and progressive Mindanao especially if we change our political system to federal. I strongly believe that the people of Mindanao have capabilities to manage our own resources and our people. Urban migration will be minimized. I know that many great, intelligent and talented Mindanawons are working and using their talents in improving businesses in Vizayas and Luzon, particularly in the greater Manila. If only the central government is fair enough to give Mindanao what is due to us, there would be no need for Mindanao professionals, think-tanks, inventors, consultants, etc working in Manila. They can used their gifts in bringing us to economic prosperity.

I am actually grateful that a resolution, HB 1109, at the House of Representatives was approved. It is a bill poised at convening  congress as a Constituent Assembly, both House and Senate voting as a whole, which will propose amendments to the 1986 Philippine Constitution. I am grateful because many attempts to push CHACHA in the past did not prosper. There is, however, a downside in HB 1109 for it doesn’t propose specific possible amendments to be made.

I could not blame few sectors or people going against CHACHA. It’s just like introducing new policies in the company that some would complain. It is all expected. But I am enraged by their argument that they are against it because it would extend Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stay in office. That is not a good argument. I know these groups would still assail the same no matter who is our president today.

With HB 1109, we can now focus on what possible amendments must be introduced; not on term extensions. We can also contest if the move of convening the House and Senate as Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) is unconstitutional.  

This is now the proper time that all Filipinos will be vigilant on the proposals of the Con-Ass. This is now the time that we participate and let our elected congressmen represent our true voice in amending the constitution. I am not afraid of them inserting term extensions because, after all, their proposals will be adopted and voted by the country. And I believe no Filipino in his right mind will vote for the extension of terms of politicians particularly of the president. I don’t also believe that congress will insert it as one of the amendments; else they really want trouble from the people.

The approval of HB 1109 had sent a clear message to the Filipino people that if there is a political will there is a way to improve our country. It also manifested that if the elected representatives of the people will bring their congressmen’s asses to the chamber, important bills can be approved in a shorter span of time; they did that to HB 1109. I don’t know why the CARP extension bill was so hard to be approved by them.

I believe that Congressmen have no reason or excuse now not to approved or attend to important bills. They should wear mask the next time they will see their district if they can’t act fast on relevant bills filed at congress. If barang or witchcraft is true, they should be barang.