Getting crazy again with Chacha?

Again, the ghost of Con-Ass has reappeared in congress. With 175 congressman having reportedly signed the resolution, only 20 more are needed before it becomes final, although not necessarily executory. Its proponents contend that the 2/3 votes required in the 1987 Constitution refers to a joint session of both House and the Senate. But most senators believe that such votes should be secured from each body voting separately.

In the last three or four years there have been initiatives in the Lower House towards convening a constitutional assembly to amend certain provisions of the Constitution. But these fizzled out because of strong adverse reactions from the general public. The average Filipino believes that any attempt to amend the Constitution before 2010 is an attempt to prolong the term of President Arroyo, including that of every legislator and local government official. This belief is based on the fact that one vital amendment would involve changing the structure of government from presidential to parliamentary. With this done, who could prevent GMA from installing herself as prime minister?

The author of the current resolution, congressman Luis Villafuerte, said that there is no plan to lengthen GMA's term as head of state. And Malacañang has been quick to deny that it is behind the move. But considering that the President's congressman son has been rumored to have made some secret deals to revive Chacha the suspicion is strong that the emergence of this issue must have been the handiwork of Pasig Office.

What's happening? While the economy is reeling from the impact of a global economic meltdown and thousands of Filipinos are loosing their jobs, congressman are joyfully playing to the music of Malacañang? Getting a congressman's nod on a legislative measure is not easy. These gentlemen are very perceptive and if there's one thing that haunts them even in their waking hours it's political survival. Did they ink the Chacha proposal sans trade-off? Or were there whispered prospects of rewards? Election is only fourteen months away and logistics are needed. Who could say no to any Palace initiative?

Cha-cha is dead, Malacañang's spin doctors declared. Yes, it is, repeated some congressmen in small voices. But right now on the Speaker's table that resolution is inviting action. What will happen after Congress resumes session in April? Anything can happen, Chacha could really be dead or it could rise alive after Ester Sunday, depending on Malacañang's option.

What's really the score? Is the Chacha resolution a last minute attempt to extend PGMA's administration beyond 2010? Who is really behind this move - the House or Malacañang? Many believe it's the latter. No matter how Malacañang tries to distance itself from the issue, the common tao believes it is behind the whole idea. The truth is, the President's acceptance rating being very low, whatever her drumbeaters say always generates skeptical reactions.

Whoever concocted the idea of reviving the Chacha controversy is actually doing damage to the President's already damaged leadership. The timing is miserable. At this time when survival is the main concern of the average Filipino any thought of tinkering with the law of the land is simply farthest from his mind. When the crisis is over, when his basic needs shall have been provided for perhaps this matter could be attended to. But now . . .

The Lower House people too who put their hands into Villafuerte resolution betrayed their insensitivity to the sufferings of the masa. Not content with fattening themselves with the largesse from their PDAF, they have connived to give themselves mind-boggling salary increases despite the burgeoning budget deficit. There's a move to raise the pay of teachers to a substantial level to give these mentors a wider breathing space financially. But save the miserly ten percent due this year, the good gentlemen of the House turned down the move. Is this not a case of "me first" thinking?

Now congressmen are alive again with the nauseating Chacha revival. There are more urgent issues that call for urgent attention and action, such as the proposals to tax texting and to raise the cost of electricity. There are more pressing concerns on education, environment, security and of course, the economy. But why are they getting crazy again with Chacha?

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