New group launched to counter people’s initiative

A new citizens’ group launched yesterday called on President Arroyo and her allies who are pushing a people’s initiative to amend the Constitution to reconsider their move.

"One Voice," an anti-constitutional change movement, instead urged that next year’s mid-term elections not be scrapped as proposed by the administration, saying it will measure public support for Mrs. Arroyo.

"We appeal to the proponents of the so-called people’s initiative, especially the President, to rethink this move. Not only is it questionable, it has also a very slim chance of being upheld," said Christian Monsod, a former Commission on Elections chairman.

Opponents and critics of the people’s initiative point to a 1997 Supreme Court ruling that struck down a people’s initiative, citing the lack of an enabling law.

Although they have yet to decide whether or not to challenge the current people’s initiative, Monsod said they would back any such petition filed before the Supreme Court by other groups or entities.

Another former Comelec chief, Alfredo Benipayo, who recently resigned as the Arroyo administration’s solicitor-general, likewise doubts the Supreme Court will uphold the people’s initiative.

One Voice advocates making amendments to the Constitution through a constitutional convention, to which delegates would be elected.

Aside from a people’s initiative, in which at least 12 percent of the electorate may submit constitutional amendments through a petition, Mrs. Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives are also in favor of making amendments through a constituent assembly, which will consist of members of Congress.

Critics of the constituent assembly approach say amendments made by such a body might appear self-serving.

Monsod said by allowing next year’s elections to push through, a new set of senators and congressmen with a fresh mandate could decide whether Mrs. Arroyo should be allowed to finish her term in 2010. Mrs. Arroyo survived an impeachment bid last year on vote-rigging and corruption allegations.

Monsod said the country could not afford the political fallout from yearly impeachment proceedings, and "that’s why we are saying that we should find a way to find closure on this issue."

Mrs. Arroyo has endorsed recommendations by a 55-member consultative commission she created to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution to shift from a US-style presidential bicameral system to a single-legislature parliamentary government.

A key recommendation is scrapping the 2007 election and extending legislators’ terms so they can serve as members of an interim parliament until 2010.

Monsod said "a credible 2007 election can be an indirect referendum" on Mrs. Arroyo as reflected by the number of opposition and pro-administration legislators who are elected.

"If indeed there will be an impeachment after that election, then that must be accepted," said Monsod.

The group includes most of the country’s Roman Catholic bishops, some businessmen, academics and Arroyo critics.

"If there is no successful impeachment after the 2007 elections, then we should allow the President to continue her term and finish up to 2010 and must in fact work together for a social reform program," Monsod said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the current system causes gridlocks that prevent the government from addressing the country’s main problems - poverty and economic underdevelopment.

Monsod and his group, however, said the present Constitution, drafted after the 1986 EDSA people power revolt ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, contains enough provisions allowing for economic and political reforms.

Opposition groups claim Mrs. Arroyo is pushing the changes to ensure her grip on power and divert attention from a months-long political impasse over corruption and vote-rigging allegations against her.

"I am inclined to believe that," said Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

"We have already said in our pastoral letter that we are not in favor of charter change because we still have our priorities, especially economic priorities."

Lagdameo clarified that he was not representing the Roman Catholic Church in One Voice but in his capacity as archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo and co-chairman of the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference.

Mrs. Arroyo wants to amend the Constitution and replace the country’s US-style presidential form of government with a parliamentary system, which she said would speed up the passage of legislation needed for economic recovery.

Under the current system the executive branch of government must engage in lengthy debates and lobbying with two chambers of Congress — the Senate and the House of Representatives — before a bill can be passed.

A federal system has also gained favor among provincial governments who have long been dissatisfied over the dominance of "Imperial Manila."

Government economists also say that the Constitution is not attuned to the market-based economy and gives too much power to the judiciary which can effectively scuttle the government’s economic policies.

The Constitution bars foreign participation in key businesses to prevent foreign control of the country.

Opponents say economic reforms and endemic corruption should be addressed first, adding that a parliamentary system needs strong parties to work properly – something the Philippines’ personality-driven politics notably lacks.

Elected officials switch parties with ease, making parliamentary governments vulnerable to being toppled anytime, they say.

Political parties in the Philippines are merely vehicles for prominent personalities, many of whom come from political families.

Charter change proponents, on the other hand, contend that shifting to a parliamentary form of government would promote political maturity.