September 23, 2005 · Posted in: Governance, In the News

Six more named to Con-Com

SIX more members of the Consultative Commission on charter change have been named, as the group prepares to meet this afternoon.

The incoming members are: 

1. Brother Rolando Dizon, director-at-large, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and former president, De La Salle University

2. Rodrigo Duterte, Davao City mayor

3. Mel Senen Sarmiento, Calbayog City mayor and secretary-general, League of Cities of the Philippines

4. Atty. Rita Linda Jimeno, president, Philippine Bar Association

5. Dr. Emily Marohombsar, member, government panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the first Muslim woman to have been appointed president of the Mindanao State University

6. Atty. Sergio Apostol, former chairman, CEO and president of the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp. and former member of the House committee on constitutional amendments for three terms in Congress

The six join the first 33 members of the Commission named by Malacañang on Wednesday. Eleven more slots are provided for under Executive Order 453, which mandates the Commission to propose revisions to the 1987 Constitution after consultations with sectors of society.

"These members were chosen based on the qualifications set forth in EO 453 which states that members of the Consultative Commission must be men and women of national standing, experienced in government or with recognized competence in their respective fields," Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita said.

Committee on Constitutional Amendments chair Constantino Jaraula (author of House Resolution No. 004) said he was "happy that the President has come up with a group that well represents the various sectors throughout the country."

"The Consultative Commission meets halfway the clamor for a Constitutional Convention instead of a Constituent Assembly," he said.

But there are other lawmakers who are not as enthusiastic.

Senator Rodolfo Biazon, for example, has expressed doubts about the reasons for the Commission’s creation. While, he said, the group is "a conglomeration of well-respected individuals in our society," he asked, "Is this really a Consultative Commission or is it being used as a mechanism to ram down into the throat of the Filipinos what her political allies want?"

The foremost question that should be asked of the people, according to Biazon, is this: "Do we want to change the Constitution?"

Biazon referred to a May 2005 survey of the Social Weather Stations that showed 70 percent of respondents believe there are no constitutional provisions that need to be changed.

Biazon said the Commission should educate the people about various issues related to shifting to a parliamentary and federal system, including: the different forms of parliamentary and federal governments; the distribution of powers; and their implications on the country. Should the people then decide to change the Constitution, Biazon said, the Commission must consult with them what amendments they propose.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño, for his part, said the creation of the Commission is suspect. "The President has no business amending the Constitution because her role is to defend and protect it. What is she up to creating this Commission?" Casiño was one of the 38 representatives who filed HR 895, expressing their opposition to charter change.

Casiño said the Con-Com, which appears to him as "pro-administration," does not have a single member who could be described as "independent of the President."

He stressed that given the current political crisis, it would have been better if the Palace formed an academic team of law professors, for example, to study proposed amendments. An authorized body like Congress could also conduct the consultations with the people, Casiño said.

Both Casiño and Biazon asked where government will get the P10-million budget initially earmarked for the Commission, since it is neither in the existing General Appropriations Act nor the proposed budget for 2006.

"Where will the money come from? Foreign donors?" Casiño asked. 

But Rep. Jaraula said the fund "might come from the Presidential Social Fund. I’m sure there’s an appropriation."

18 Responses to Six more named to Con-Com

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indio_lawless

September 23rd, 2005 at 11:34 am

The people named in the Palace initiated “Con-Com” could always resort to non-acceptance, if they believe that ChaCha is ill-timed or not proper at all.

Nachura (2002) wrote that in Lacson v. Romero, 84 Phil 740, the Highest Tribunal said that ” an appointment is deemed complete only upon its acceptance.” He further wrote: Pending such acceptence, which is optional to the appointee, the appointment may still be validly withrawn. Appointment to a public office cannot be forced upon any citizen except for purposes of defense of the State under Sec.4, Art.II as an exception to the rule against involuntary servitude.

What can we do then bloggers? Let’s petitition those people whom we believe speaks our interest not to accept said appointment. If there is a want of such , how about starting it with Bro. Rolando Dizon, the brother-in-law of Representative Dura Lex Sed Pyrex :)

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peacelabenpinay

September 23rd, 2005 at 11:43 am

Hmmm…. I wonder kung magkano kaya ang budget sa bawat isang Con-Com member.

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indio_lawless

September 23rd, 2005 at 11:54 am

At kung pagtitipid ang usapan, why not use Jaraula’s House Committee on Constitutional Amendments to the fullest? Jaraula could always use his House Resolution No. 004 as a spring board to snow-ball the discussions as well as to invite resource persons for free.

By then the Php 10 Million budget initially earmarked for the Con-Com could be use to feed the hungry mouths of our kababayans if we are to believe the latest SWS survey saying that more Filipinos are going hungry.

Glue-ria, obviously got a misplaced sense of priority,if not a want of money-saving economics. Do we need to argue more ? Res Ipsa Loquitor :)

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indio_lawless

September 23rd, 2005 at 11:56 am

Hay naku.. nakakagutom tuloy.

Maka-order na nga sa Jollibee at makahingi ng PhilStar freebie. Daming benefits kasi….panlinis…pampunas…pambalot….pambato :)

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sinningsaint

September 23rd, 2005 at 1:25 pm

anu ba yang President Social Fund na yan?,,, parang pandora’s box… oozing with evil…

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Cromwell6

September 23rd, 2005 at 6:01 pm

Okay, listen up everyone! The plan to overhaul the system make it time enough realizing we are actually run by very few business people, what we are to replace is a concocted write-up of business people so feverishly over-protective of big business SO OVERT AND FRETFUL that anything of Marcos should be deleted, its good money return keeping it that way. Big business possessing virtual stranglehold on the presidency in the pursuit of the big business clique is good R.O.I., Marcos was made scapegoat, you know why?

Firstly, no importance was ever given to crimes Marcos committed, just be happy with his money (stolen money) and just make money. The celebrated murder cases including that of Mrs. Aquino’s husband our fallen hero Ninoy, remain a mystery, unsolved.

The reasons why Mindanao continue to suffer the uneasy consequence of war is because of the Marcos era violations of international laws when he tried invading the State of Sabah, Malaysia, remember the Jabidah massacre? The conflict in Mindanao is the result of the continuing counteractions because of the failed covert invasion plans during the 60’s, unresolved to this day and definitely not the fault of Muslims and non-Muslims in Mindanao & Sulu, they were the unwilling tools to perish when big boys play!

So, up until we decide to be truthful with what essentially is ideal for our well-being, we will continue to be people of the world slaving for others, and casualties like Contmplacion and others to pile up, we will be nations of grieving sons or daughters of slaves overseas executed or yet to be executed. Let us make the change right now pronto!

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Betsey

September 24th, 2005 at 2:18 am

Glue-ria DOES NOT CARE ABOUT ANYONE but herself. Should the so-called Cha-Cha benefit Glue-ria, she will PUSH it! And just like the 158 ROTTEN EGGS in the House of Representative who took away the truth, these 30+ Con-Com delegates, ALSO belong to the: G…reatest M…istake A…ssociation! How did an old fogey like Al Yuchengco–who made so many suffer with the Pacific Plans fiasco–make it as one of the delegates??!!??? Sigh*

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Dodie

September 24th, 2005 at 10:44 am

after 20 yirs (1986 consti) papalitan na uli ang consti kasi ‘di na nagi-fit sa few powerful filipinos..ang mga merkano piecemil kung mag-amyenda pa..tayo, pag’di na nga nag-fit sa few powerful e papalitan. wat comes next? papano naman kung after one day na magawa ang new consti e talagang ‘di nagpi-fit sa mas maraming pinoy? magtitiis na naman ng another 20 yirs kapag later on e na-realize ng very few powerful na ‘di na uli tumutugma sa kanila ang sistema?
kung sana mabubuhay uli ang mga recto, laurel, quezon…at sana si lapu-lapu.

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ring

September 24th, 2005 at 10:56 am

Ramos and De Venecia wants power..thats why..they can’t win in an election anyway..so papalitan na lang nila Constitution under the guise of reforms……..

Be not afraid!!!

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Cromwell6

September 24th, 2005 at 9:47 pm

You know Doods & Betsy, it’s rather okay to be a bit skeptical over certain reservations like much of the GMA pitfalls, everyone who ever sat as president following Marcos have as much to answer for what could be today’s systematic foul-ups in ways to describe our sufferings as a nation so deep in debt, and worst, mired by conflicts that actually is the reason primal why we are so behind everyone else economically.

We could have addressed much of the problems have we been a bit attentive to why the need to confront issues like for instance the assassination of Ninoy, and perhaps the failed Marcos plan to annex a foreign territory by covert military means, are so EXTREMELY crucial in enabling for us an atmosphere of cordiality conducive to crafting business partnership from amongst us neighbors especially ASEAN, more so more than ever maintain peace in Asia.

We are still a big business play thing mainly for reason that a presidential system make it so easy for the moneyed sector to finance (during elections) people who are contenders to a presidential derby, so presidents become so beholden to their backers who would have funds either from gambling money or worst, drug money to make a contender for the presidency winnable. Thus, when a person like anybody makes it to be president, their backers who ever they are become their maker, so behind the scenes of every president are influence peddlers sometimes working against much of our country’s interest.

In a parliamentary system be not afraid, even Ramos or de Venecia be as it may, can be prime minister, even if granting they make it in, they still have to cater to regional interests as a Federal government therefore cannot, can never be dictators like what may be the case under a presidential system. It so fraught with faults, presidents are possessing too much power to kill any measure such an impeachment proceeding. PGMA’s predecessor ERAP may have stayed in power had there been no people power to boot him out, I’m almost so certain of it. Marcos would have still remained in power for life if not of people power!

Now people are no longer prone to be out in the streets because it is futile to be so for reasons that it is no longer workable, we were lucky twice with the EDSA thing, but the third EDSA was so scary and so violent like as though bullies on a rampage unknowing what next to do, vandalized vehicles and private properties tried to barge in to conquer the presidential palace at whatever cost, be it their lives or others. The Pinoy isn’t at all that uncivil, we still keep a pedigree of decorum and culture, definitely abhorrent of anything harsh and violent. Yan ang Pinoy, yan na yan tayo, big brothers!

So, let us change for the better, to a parliamentary Federal government, anong malay mo ito na ang solusyon sa ating mga problema.

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schumey

September 26th, 2005 at 9:53 am

Question ko lang, how much would it take to create a state? What about the impoverish regions, who will help them out? How about the tax system? If we change to a federal system, we will have to create new courts, alter the legal system and of course the local government code. Warlordism and dynasties could be created. The national government will have no check and balance. A federal system will also have to shell out subsidies in the agricultural sector. We will have to pay more taxes ‘di ba? There will be the national tax, the state tax, munincipal tax and maybe even a barangay tax. States could hold other states hostage and dictate what they want for their own survival instead of the national interest. This in turn could create more corruption. The only thing I see “WRONG” with the 1987 Constitution is that it was crafted by Filipinos for Filipinos. There is nothing wrong with the system, ang may mali ay ang pamunuan. Dapat muna pag-aralan nating mabuti what a parliamentary federal system is before we join the ‘bandwagon’

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Vinia Datinguinoo

September 26th, 2005 at 12:01 pm

Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco has declined Malacañang’s designation of him as member of the Con-Com. A one-sentence statement issued by Press Sec. Ignacio Bunye said, “For personal reasons, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco has declined his nomination as member of the Consultative Commission.”

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Vinia Datinguinoo

September 26th, 2005 at 9:02 pm

Sec. Bunye made another statement later in the day, correcting himself, and clarifying that Ambassador Yuchengco has indeed accepted the invitation to be a member of the Con-Com. He said: We erroneously reported that Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco has declined his nomination to the Consultative Commission (Con-Com). We apologize for the error.”

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Pinoy OFW

September 27th, 2005 at 1:30 am

papayag kaya is Prof.R.David?o si De Quiros?si MLQ III?si H.Laurel? na maging member nang con-com?
malamang hindi…hehehe

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Agrarian Posts » Six more appointed to Charter Change ’study group’

September 28th, 2005 at 5:03 am

[…] According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) blog, six more persons were appointed to the Charter Change consultative commission. These are: […]

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Timtim2

September 28th, 2005 at 5:55 pm

Indio lawless said:

“By then the Php 10 Million budget initially earmarked for the Con-Com could be use to feed the hungry mouths of our kababayans if we are to believe the latest SWS survey saying that more Filipinos are going hungry.”

this amount may feed some of our kababayans. but until when will this P10M last? will this feed the whole populace? your suggestion i think is of a short term solution to our fellow pinoys. it’s not that i’m being biased here or something. but, i do believe that what the government is targeting is for a long-term solution. amending the charter and shifting to a parliamentary form of government is worth the expense.

losing out the senators would mean ending the decades-long duplication of work in the legislative branch and savings (bawas gastos). maybe this time when we shift to parliamentary gov’t, legislation will become way faster.

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Albert Domingo

September 28th, 2005 at 11:30 pm

Executive Order No. 453 creating the Consultative Commission (ConCom) on Charter Change explicitly states in its Section 4, on Qualifications to the ConCom, that “Public officials, unless they resign from their respective offices, are disqualified from being members of the Consultative Commision.”

Have ConCom members Camiguin Governor Pedro Romualdo, Naval Municipal Mayor Gerardo Espina Sr., La Union Governor Victor Ortega, San Fernando Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, among others, resigned their public offices?

If they have not, is this another unique interpretation of the law?

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INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Seven more named to cha-cha body

October 6th, 2005 at 10:02 am

[…] SEVEN more appointments were made by the President to the Consultative Commission that will make recommendations to Congress for charter change. This third batch follows the first 33 named on September 21, and the six announced a day after. One appointee declined the nomination and another has resigned. […]

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