HB 1109 and the Street Thugs

The House of Representatives Resolution (HB 1109) convening the congress into a constituent assembly or Con-Ass is not reason enough for people to go to the streets and protest or show their disgusts. Many Filipinos don’t need to march under the scourging heat of the sun or get wet by heavy pouring rains on the street to express their beliefs and their stand against political issues. Many have already learned that they get nothing by being so reactive to anything being discuss in congress. Besides the street is no longer the “in” avenue to express oneself. People have utilized blogs, web journals or fora to discuss this issue.

Personally, I don’t think there is really a need to go to the street this time. It is not yet time. It is too early. We clearly understood that the resolution doesn’t proposes any amendments yet. It only proposes convening congress to Con-Ass, so what’s the big deal? Does it, in effect, extend already the terms of the elected officials in our government? Hell, NO!

I don’t find any logic why administration critics are already HB 1109 (High Blood Pressure = 1,109). Isn’t this pre-mature? They always assailed that the motive behind changing our Constitution is to prolong, further, extend the term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA). Personally, I don’t want any Gloria as president or prime minister or whatever we coin that higher position in the government as much as I hate seeing the same faces of trapos, political dynasty occupying similar positions in our government. If there would be term extension, it would not only be extension of GMA but term extension of her cohorts too.

Unfortunately, there is no concrete proposal on term extensions. There has no amendment/s to our Constitution that is/are being proposed yet. Hence, there is no issue to argue nor a reason to protest in the street.

I strongly favor changing our Constitution and I want to propose a change from presidential to federal system of government. If extension will be included in the proposal, expect me to go first to the street and strongly protest against it. It’s time, perhaps, to awaken the activist side of me.

With Charter Chang issue hanging for a long time and everytime somebody brings it to the open, the critics, opposition, activist groups and church always opposes it. When would they see that there is really a need to change it for economic reason? They always argue on the premise of term extension. I think this is now the best time that the people and media will highlight what are the benefits it would bring to the Filipino people socially, politically and economically.

Let us strongly oppose and condemn term extensions of officials. But let us strongly support a Constitutional change for social and economic benefits.