Former con-com sec-gen to lawmakers: Stop grandstanding

A former official of the presidential consultative commission appealed to lawmakers to refrain from utilizing the con-com’s proposals for amendments in the Constitution for political mileage and grandstanding.

"The con-com is just simply proposing to Congress. In the final analysis, it will be them (members of Congress) who will be changing the Constitution. They seem so very serious about it. Let us call for sobriety and let us not accuse people of making motivations," former con-com secretary general Lito Monico Lorenzana said.

He called for sobriety among lawmakers and critics over the controversial proposal to scrap the 2007 midterm elections and extend the terms of all elected officials for a smooth transition in the new government.

He appealed to members of Congress not to use the "no-el" (no election) issue as a platform for grandstanding and instead concentrate their efforts on debates over the issue.

Lorenzana made the appeal in reaction to statements made by Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco who branded the no-el proposal as "indecent, immoral, improper and a prescription to perdition" that should be scrapped.

According to Lorenzana, some members of Congress are "not saying what they really feel" about the no-el issue.

"In the final analysis, these are the people who will change the Constitution. All of them would want no-el, because they would not spend for the elections. I just hope they will use no-el for the good of the people," Lorenzana said.

Earlier, Lorenzana slammed former Maguindanao congressman Didagen Dilangalen for stating the postponement of the 2007 polls will result in social unrest.

"There will be no social unrest," Lorenzana said. "The people will still vote in 2010 and during the plebiscite to ratify the amended Constitution."

Lorenzana argued that the government stands to gain in saving P35 billion if the 2007 elections will be scrapped.

He said the money saved by government can be channeled to other useful purposes.

Con-com delegate Gerardo Espina, principal proponent of the "no election" provision, earlier explained the postponement of the 2007 midterm elections aims to provide a three-year healing period in preparation for the final shift to parliamentary-federal form of government with a unicameral Congress.

Espina said the proposal would also allow President Arroyo to finish her six-year term through 2010.

But lawmakers said the no election proposal might face a rough time in the Senate.

Sen. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on constitutional amendments, said the no election by con-com is being seen as a tool by some administration stalwarts and local officials to perpetuate themselves in power.

"We will consider the proposals but we are going to take it like any suggestion of any citizen but I don’t think we are going to go that far… kasi nasira na sila sa no-el. Halatang-halata na itong ginagawa nila sa no-el na itong ginagawa nila…lumalabas ang katotohanan ay na ito ay para sa kapakanan lamang ng iilan," Gordon said.

Gordon backtracked from his earlier announcements that his committee would tackle the proposed amendments recommended by the con-com.

Last week, Gordon said his committee would be ready to act on the con-com report, along with other proposals seeking to amend the constitution either through constituent assembly or constitutional convention.

In an interview with reporters yesterday, Gordon said the perception on Charter change has changed because the personal interests of proponents have been uncovered. — With Christina Mendez