New coalition joins people’s initiative drive

A progressive multisectoral coalition joined yesterday the nationwide campaign to solicit at least six million signatures for a people’s initiative to change the form of government from a presidential to a parliamentary system through changes in the Constitution.

Calling themselves the "Sigaw ng Bayan (SB) Coalition," the group vowed to take the lead in the signature campaign in their respective sectors to help the poor chart their own destiny.

Lawyer Raul Lambino, spokesman for the newly formed coalition, told a press conference at the Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City that a people’s initiative is the fastest and most democratic option for carrying out constitutional reform.

This was after the Senate blocked the planned conversion of the House of Representatives and Senate into a constituent assembly (con-ass) to rewrite the Constitution.

"After two months of nationwide consultation, we are certain that an overwhelming majority of our people want a shift to the parliamentary setup along with other systemic changes in our outmoded political and economic structures," he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joker Arroyo said the government’s move to proceed with Charter change through a people’s initiative or via con-ass would be brought before the Supreme Court.

"In the end, I said, this will be resolved by the Supreme Court," Arroyo said, although he admitted that such a move "is not fair to the Supreme Court because the SC now is so saddled with so many constitutional cases."

He was apparently referring to the constitutional issues raised on Executive Order 464 and Proclamation 1017.

However, Lambino said "if Congress is slow to act, then our people will take the lead and take the role of constitutional warriors. When our political leaders refuse to act because of partisan interests, our people are ready to control their destiny."

The SB coalition includes groups from various sectors — the youth, women, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Muslim and interfaith groups, farmers and fisherfolk, as well as labor and transport groups.

At least 100 sectoral groups, including the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Kilusan ng Mamamayan Para sa Matatag na Republika (KMMR), Guardian International Brotherhood, Mindanao Alliance for Solidarity, National Alliance of Tricycle Drivers and Operators and Lakas Pinoy, joined the coalition.

The SB coalition signature campaign is a parallel move to the drive launched by the 1.7-million-strong Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) to inform the people about the benefits of the proposed constitutional reforms and how these can improve living conditions for the poor.

KMMR president Rolando Montiel said the public should take the lead to ensure that they benefit from the economic gains and prevent political ambitions and vested political interests from blocking moves to amend the Charter.

"The sooner the constitutional reform is carried out, the sooner the masa can directly benefit from the systemic changes in our political and economic structures," Montiel said.

However, such moves are suspect, Arroyo said, suggesting that the 2006 budget was approved by the House in a marathon hearing yesterday so it could be used to pursue efforts to amend the Constitution.

Sen. Manuel Villar agreed with Arroyo that the SC would have the final say on the constitutionality of the current push to amend the Charter: "We strongly feel that it is illegal. But the Supreme Court has the final say in those things." — With Christina Mendez