Signature drive vs GMA term extension launched

MANILA, Philippines – Former senior government officials warned the public yesterday that efforts to amend the Constitution could extend the term of President Arroyo.

Backed by 25 non-government organizations, the Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) launched yesterday a signature campaign to prevent Mrs. Arroyo from staying in power beyond 2010.

Former Civil Service Commission chairman Karina Constantino-David, FSGO head, said they have gathered an initial 500 signatories as “a people’s initiative to warn the public and avert what seems to be an undying attempt to prolong this administration’s stay in power.”

“We are seeing disturbing signs that 2010 may not be the end of this administration and may be a repeat of our history of 36 years ago,” she said.

Speaking to reporters at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, David said the National Peace and Order Council, created under Executive Order 739 last August, has the same functions as the National Security Council, and places all security agencies under the office of the Secretary of Interior and Local Government.

“We call on all Filipinos to be vigilant, to inform themselves, to organize with like-minded fellow citizens, and to prepare to show our leaders and officials the true power of our democracy,” read the FSGO petition.

David said the FSGO has observed some indications of “dangerous moves” against the Constitution.

“We declare our united opposition (1) to any moves that exploit the Mindanao situation to extend Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in power, (2) to any attempt to amend the Constitution before 2010, (3) to any attempt to change the Constitution through a Constituent Assembly, and (4) to any step towards declaring martial law,” read the FSGO petition.

“Yet the House of Representatives, through the Speaker, and the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, has announced that it will be holding ‘public consultations’ to elicit public opinion on Charter change, whether for federalism, shift to a parliamentary system or such other excuse/justification as may later dawn on the proponents.”

The FSGO said the statement was signed by Filipinos and organizations alarmed by current political developments.

“We note that in spite of various protestations by political leaders from the administration and the opposition, the talk of a brazen attempt to extend the term of Mrs. Arroyo simply will not die,” read the statement.

The FSGO said inevitable armed confrontations and deaths could be a “ready-made platform” to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the country under martial law.

“We declare our commitment to a just and sustainable peace in Mindanao. We will initiate and support all possible actions that will bring about an inclusive process to begin with ceasefire and return to the peace table,” read the petition.

The FSGO said the administration has rushed the signing of the agreement on ancestral domain with the MILF and cancelled it to goad the MILF and other groups into “a combative reaction or a series of violent actions.” – With Non Alquitran, Marvin Sy