Signature campaign on Charter
change starts today

Sen. Pimentel is right, Charter change must take place after GMA is gone from power. After all, the aging Constitution is not the real problem or issue here; it’s GMA’s legitimacy as President.

JDV, FVR and the other trapos with bigger ambitions are just taking this opportunity to serve their selfish ends.

Naks naman ha! Cash and sacks of rice..parang yung mga politiko pag nangangako, isang sako ng bigas kada isang boto. Kaya lang mauna muna sako, “to follow” na lang bigas pag nanalo. Pag-aralan naman sanang mabuti ang charter change, wag daanin sa suhulan.

Like I said before, most Filipinos are stupid, poor and desperate for food. We do anything just to survive everyday. If bribery works to benefit the 80 families that rule the Philippines, then we can’t do anything about it.

NO TO CHACHA!!!! ano pa ba ang maasahan dito sa mga alipores ni arroyo eh sanay na sila sa suhulan at kaimoralan huh! (transactional government) pera ng bayan ginagamit panuhol sa mga tao or galing sa slt? ayaw na talaga nila umalis sa power kaya takot sila na mageleksyon sa 2007 kasi alam na nila na talo sila. hinding hinde sila mananalo sa eleksyon nasubukan na di ba? nilampaso sa eleksyon si jdv hahaha. si arroyo at de castro naman sa panahon ngayon tiyak na ang pagkatalo nya kaya takot sa snap election. kung stable lagay nila payag silang magresign at mag snap elction. ito lang talaga ang makakasolve ng problema. tingnan mo nga si taksim ng thailand payag sa snap election kasi may HIYA pa ito eh si arroyo kapal muks! hehehe. pag nawala sila sa power kalaboso kahahantungan nila. PUNO kasi ng buwaya mga alipores ni arroyo. Peace!!!

The Arroyo administration is really sick to the core. They’ll do anything and everything just to hang on to power. Isn’t giving cash and sacks of rice tantamount to bribery? It’s illegal. Gusto talaga ni GLUE-RIA na ma-amend ang Constitution para maka-stay until 2010 and probably beyond that. Don’t tell me that the future of the Filipinos and the Constitution of the Country is only worth a handful of cash and a few sacks of rice. For the Filipinos to take that bait from a sick and self-serving government is simply appalling. If the Filipinos take this cheap bait from the Arroyo administration, then, the Philippines really deserves a leader like GLUE-RIA.

This is off topic, but, I read from Malaya that Romulo is trying to arrange a meeting between Pres. Bush and GLUE-RIA. If this administration has launched a signature campaign for Charter change, maybe we can also launch a campaign to write or e-mail the White House for Pres. Bush not to grant GLUE-RIA an audience. Afterall, she just wants another photo opportunity to show that the U.S. still supports her. I hope that the U.S. government has wised up and learned their lesson. She has already shown her true colors when she withdrew her support in Iraq. The power hungry GLUE-RIA was afraid, at that time, that her bogus presidency was at risk. If she could not hack it, then, she should not have joined that coalition or any coalition for that matter in the first place. That woman is truly the QUEEN OF FLIP-FLOPS.

Manolo Quezon III has been proposing an alternative resolution (http://www.quezon.ph/blog/?p=875). Would anyone of you be willing to place your signature on this instead?

“Resolution

Whereas, under the Constitution the Republic of the Philippines, sovereignty resides exclusively in the people;

Whereas, under the Constitutions and the laws of the Republic, the citizenry has been empowered to initiate and approve resolutions as a basic means of expressing the sense and opinions of the people, whether on local or national issues;

Whereas, the President of the Philippines, by her actions and behavior, has disgraced her office, cast her position and legitimacy into disrepute, divided her people, and refused all reasonable petitions from the public to be held accountable for her actions;

Whereas, the time has come for the people to reclaim for themselves the power to be heard by those elected into office, from the humblest barangay official to the President of the land;

Now therefore be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, by the people of _________ that we wish it known that,

We, the sovereign Filipino people, do hereby resolve and make it known to all, that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo no longer enjoys the trust and confidence of the people, and that we, the people of _________, hereby withdraws our support from her administration.”

I will definitely sign Quezon’s resolution.

Yes, there is a ruling and that people’s initiative is only for specific ammendments and to change the system of government. This government continues to waste taxpayers’ money. This clearly a case of betrayal of public trust.

Cha-Cha will never solve our country’s woes. What will happen to the poor provinces? Talaga yatang binababoy ng administrasyon ito ang ating mga institusyon.

What we have is problem of legitimacy and not of political bickerings and partisan politics. Say “NO” to Cha-Cha.

>>> CVJ said, March 26, 2006 @ 5:39 pm
Manolo Quezon III has been proposing an alternative resolution (http://www.quezon.ph/blog/?p=875). Would anyone of you be willing to place your signature on this instead?“>>>
>>> unicosanjose said, March 26, 2006 @ 7:01 pm
there’s already a ruling from the Supreme Court, Defensor vs Pirma, if i am not mistaken that says that there is no enabling law, i dont remember congress approving such law… and people’s initiative can only be used for amendments not revisions of the constitution,

Hey! guys, there is a window of opportunity here. Too narrow for the little dictator with a big baggage to escape through, but wide enough for the people’s agenda to get through, we can some great things going:
SENATOR Edgardo Angara proposed that Congress amend the Constitution but limit the changes to revamping the Commission on Elections and cutting the terms of both President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro to extricate the country from the political morass.
“If we agree on this with the House, we will file a joint resolution to shorten the term of both the President and Vice President so that it will usher in a fresh election…. Then the question of illegitimacy and mandate will be laid to rest,” Angara told reporters.
He said the joint resolution would form the basis for amending the Charter, with the amendments “strictly confined to the two propositions.”
As we can see from the foregoing ideas of these great guys (because they make sense) a combined legislative initiative and people’s initiative, a combined undertaking at each step of the way, could be a breakthrough on the critical impasse!
“Resolution:
“Whereas, the time has come for the people to reclaim for themselves the power to be heard by those elected into office, from the humblest barangay official to the President of the land;
Now therefore be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, by the people of 1st Dist of Paranaque City that we wish it known that,
We, the sovereign Filipino people, do hereby resolve and make it known to all, that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo no longer enjoys the trust and confidence of the people, and that we, the people of 1st District of Paranque City, hereby withdraws our support from her administration.”
….. and shall also withdraw our support from our District Representative who will not support the following resolution.”
…. THAT WE, in conjunction with CONGRESS – the House and the Senate, do hereby file a joint and a PEOPLE’S INITIATIVE resolution to shorten the term of both the President and Vice President so that it will usher in a fresh election….”
Great! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, but before the first step is a thought that became an idea that blossomed into a dream that empowers the people every step of the way. This is the spirit of True People’s Initiative – People being moved and moving towards a common vision.
Go! People, Go! Marines, Soldiers, Go! Priests, Go! Nuns, Teachers, Go! Students, Youth , Go! Farmers, Fishermen, Laborers, Drivers, Go! People, Go! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step …

Was ChaCha part of GMA’s agenda during the last elections?

Palagay ko malabo na pag-asa ng Charter Change na ‘to. Pano naman kasi likas na satin maging “dudero”..panahon pa ni ramos at erap sinusulong na ang charter change, kaya lang pinagdududahan na agad at sinasabing may mga “hidden agenda”. Naku naman, ano ba talaga ang dapat palitan? Ang tao, ang sistema, o ang ugali? Maganda sana ito para hindi concentrated ang pulitika sa Imperial Manila. May pros and cons ito..sana isantabi muna ang pulitika, pag aralan at pagdebatehan mabuti kung ano ba magiging silbi nito sa bayan.

no more debates, no more information drive…”pirma na kaagad!” james marty lim even said around 80% of barangay leaders don’t know charter change — what do you expect? “magpapirma lang, premyo kaagad — talung-talo ang wowowee sa mga pakulo!!!”

the cha-cha stampede is under way. signatures are 4M already and in too short a time they can get their objective. who needs information drive and debates??? http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news01_mar27_2006

“And let me make this clear: I believe I am the best person to lead this nation through this transition,” gloria said. unfortunately, AS USUAL, she is lying through her overgrown teeth!

as long as gloria is in position, any government move has suspect motives…NO TO CHA-CHA.

what gloria wants, gloria gets. so who will validate the signatures? yes, it’s the comelec…

the comelec whose some members ought to be impeached! the same comelec who failed to automate our election process. the same comelec whose chairman is abalos who likewise LIED when he insisted, after the tape scandal broke, that Garcillano had nothing to do with Mindanao during the elections because the latter was Comelec officer in charge of another area.

YES TO COMELEC OVERHAUL!

—–

puno to dilg is same banana to me as garcillano to comelec…

—–

“people’s” initiative will also eventually test the objectivity of our SC…who is yet to resolve the controversial issues of our time. remember, it’s 12/14 in favor of gloria’s appointees. another one will soon be appointed. thirteen (13) is bad luck to some, good luck to others…

how i wish (and praying hard) SC composition of 13/15 will be good luck to us all.

[…] Uniffors reprints an analysis by Walden Bello, “Military Intervention: Definitely a Cure Worse than the Disease” and another by Filomena Sta. Ana, “A drawn-out struggle”. PCIJ posts ““Signature Campaign on Charter Starts Today”. […]

It is impossible not to suspect or doubt the CHA-CHA if there is a “hidden agenda” or none. Specially Ramos, De Venecia, and the cause of all this pandemonium GLUE-RIA wants it ^^

Moreover, I’m just going to support this CHA-CHA if FVR, JDV, and GMA has nothing to do with it. Because I’m positive that they only want CHA-CHA not for the good of the country but for their own venal ambitions.

aha! the DILG personnel are now converted into cha-cha machinery! just to perpetuate GMA and her cohorts in power!..

ay ang cheap naman nila..2 kilos of rice na lang pala ngayon kapalit ng isang pirma, ang balita nung una 1 sack. Baka pag kinulang ng pondo maging isang gatang na lang yan. Bakit naman kasi idadaan pa sa padamihan ng “autograph” eh..nahahalata tuloy na kapit-tuko na rin mga politiko sa labas ng Imperial Manila. Kung sakin lang dapat plebisito na agad para malaman agad kung ano magiging resulta. At kung wala naman sa batas ang people’s initiative eh di itigil na to wag na pag aksayahan pa ng pera at oras, pati tuloy ang “mood” ni Sen. Pimentel tungkol sa charter change nababago dahil lang sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

Now we know kung bakit may 12% EVAT. Para may panggastos si Gloria para mabili niya ang constitution. Nabili na niya ang kongreso, binili niya ang comelec, ngayon cha cha naman ang kaniyang bibilhin. Gagastos din pala na malaki, bakit hindi na lang sila gumawa ng Con Con election. Isama na ring doon sa election kung gusto ng tao na si GMA ang maging pangulo ng Pilipinas. If the majority of the people will vote to have her lead the Philippines, then the opposition should shut their mouth and work with her to improve the lives of the real Pilipino People, not the selected few. Kung ayaw na talaga sa kaniya ng mga tao, call a snap election. In the end, it will be less expensive, financially and politically.

Aside from the bribes of money and/or sack of rice, kaya may mga pumipirma ay dahil , THEY ARE BEING DECEIVED sa tanong na…KUNG PAYAG BA SILANG PATALSIKIN NA SI GLORIA ARROYO SA PWESTO? Natural pipirma ang mga tao. Dahil SUKANG-SUKA NA SILA KAY GMA.

“The assemblies are supposed to tackle issues on health, agriculture, education, and “current issues affecting the country.”

According to a very innocent barangay captain, during their assembly, wala daw sa agenda nila yung signature campaign para sa peoples initiative, pero mayron silang OTHERS at nagkalat sa paligid yung mga DILG representatives at may hawak na mga forms for the signature campaign.
Akala nyo ba pinagusapan yung “issues on health, agriculture, education? Hindi po, sa pagmamadali na makakuha ng mga signatures ng mga tao ay “current issues affecting the country.” ang pinagusapan agad, jump agad sila sa OTHERS. At habang nagpapaliwanag ang taga DILG umiikot na mga kasama at nagpapapirma na agad. Totoo siguro yung “cash reward per signature”?

Ang masaya dito, IIMBESTIGAAHAN DAW NI dilg puno ANG TUNGKOL SA MGA BAYARAN SA BARANGAY!!!

This is too much already, how much insult, lies and deceit will these people spread daily on us, BEFORE APATHY LEAVES EVERYONES CONSCIOUSNESS?

“EVIL TRIUMPHS BECAUSE GOOD MEN DID NOTHING”

Punong-PUNO na po ang salop, WALA NA PO SI PANDAY, wala ng kakalos ng salop. Calling FLASH GORDON!!!

schumey said,
March 26, 2006 @ 8:26 pm

“Cha-Cha will never solve our country’s woes. What will happen to the poor provinces? Talaga yatang binababoy ng administrasyon ito ang ating mga institusyon.”

Hindi ba nga, pinropose din sa paglikha ng mga federal states na magkakaroon ng kanya kanyang pondo, maglilikha ng special fund, kung saan ang mga mayayamang state ay magdodonate dito para sagipin ang mga mahihirap na probinsya/state?

Kaya nga importante na maeducate tayo tungkol sa Charter Change bago tayo maghusga. Marami ang nalilihis ng landas dahil sa maling akala. Kapareho ng mabilis na pagsang-ayon, wag natin agad ayawan ang isang bagay na hindi pa lubusang napag-aaralan. Wag basta makinig sa sabi sabi lang ng may galit kay Arroyo. May factual basis din ang mga advantages ng federal-parliamentary system. Ang nangyayari, sinisiraan agad para wag ng tangkain pang alamin ng mamamayan ang tungkol dito.

That’s what I’m driving at. In priciple, the proposed Federal system is good, but it is also susceptible to abuse. Scud is right, taxes will definitely increase, adding more burden to the people. States who has less resources will definitely suffer. These states will be at the mercy of richer states. They will have more expenses than the others. If you take the tax system of the states, baka malula ka sa dami ng taxes nila. They have the Local tax, City tax, State tax and the National tax. Can you just imagine how huge a chunk of one’s income will be taken out?

Tama din si scud in saying that Political Dynasties will once again rule. Know the kind of political mentality our leaders have. Yan ang punto ng senado kaya nila gusto ang constitutional convention as opposed to constituent assembly.

Mas gusto ko na yung constitutional assembly so that all sectors of society will be represented. If we leave this to congress, aba’y puro pabor nalang sa kanila and mangyayari.

Scud – what if we suggest equalization downloading, whereby the taxes collected by the Federal government will be used or downloaded as investment to some poor or less-resourse provinces to help their development. Or even build some industrial base in really poor regions, so residents will remain in their provinces instead of crowding in major cities and therby creating more social problems.

Federalism will foster regionalism, ganyan na nga nangyayari ngayon. Poor areas cannot even get funding from their local or provincial governments, mas lalo pa sa national. Its not a guarantee for instant development. To put up the necessary institutions alone would run to billions, where will they get this funding. On paper, its very easy pero pag nandiyan na ang gastusan, magkakagulo yan. What then, another signature campaign to revert to a presidential system?

Ayaw din ng ARMM na mahati sila. This will cerntainly cause a lot of problems. For sure the Arab nations will dole out billions in aid for their Muslim brothers, baka mangyari niyan ay mahiwalay pa sa Pilipinas ang Mindanao.

If we look at marriage as something we don’t just jump into, maybe we should consider this Cha-Cha in the same manner. This change will affect the future of our children.

The sad thing is that the government has no money for its retired employees and soldiers, education and health. But according to the Budget department they can find money for cha-cha.

[…] A 1997 ruling of the Supreme Court remains the chief stumbling block to current efforts to have the 1987 Constitution amended through a people’s initiative. […]

CHA-CHA? WHY nOT? kUNG DYAN UUNLAD ANG BANSA. but,,, but…
hindi dapat minamadali. Paano maiintiendahan ng mga tao. Hindi pa nga naipapaliwanag sa tao. gusto na ng mga promotor pumayag na at pumirma ng YES agad ang mga tao. ANO YAN ? SHUT GUN MARRIAEGE?

Imagine ang time table ng propponents, eh. 3 months, dapat daw tapos na? Maryosep, I tell you even the fastest and intelligent blogger dito, hindi nya mababasa at matatanto ng napakadali ang lahat ng nilalaman ng proposals.
Sabi nga ng isang lawyer, it took them months to fully understood the contents of the constitution. Eh ito pa kayang proposals na kailangan
timbangin pros and cons.

Minamadali ba nila dahil, pagna-intiendehan ng mamaamayan baka di pumayag.?

Liwanag naman kasi, dapat matapos and CHA-CHA bago mag July, kasi
kung effective na ang federal system trasnsistion government, di na uubra ang impeachment. kasi nga nakalagay doon that the transition prime minister who happens to be the incumbent president ay hindi pwedeng sampahan ng impeachment. CLEAN NGA NAMAN, SAVE NA NAMAN SI GLORIA. In the meantime, she will be working for her election as representative of Pampanga, with all the money sa baul nya, she can be PRIME MINISTER (FOR LIFE)

If there is no hidden agenda, the proponents should see to it that the poeple fully understood the proposals in CHA-CHA.

The TIME TABLE should be long enough for people to understand.

The problem is sa current TIME TABLE, buko na na may hidden agenda.

If only these people have the DECENCY left in their persona , di nila kailangan magmadali. Let say, 6 months education campaign, 3 months signature drive (YES or NO – walang pilitan) and then if the people say NO, stop the CHACHA, IF people say YES, then proceed?

Ganyan po Sana? At nasisiguro ko that controversies will be avoided, kung kikilos ng matuwid ang mga proponents.

[…] Following a directive from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the signature campaign on Charter Change started on March 25 through barangay assemblies held across the country. Under RA 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act, a petition for amendments requires the signatures of 12 percent of all registered voters and at least three percent of voters in each congressional district. […]

[…] The government is calling for the shift from a presidential to a bicameral-parliamentary system of government. Administration officials are confident that a plebiscite for Charter amendments will be held in June, after enough signatures have been gathered for the petition to amend the Constitution through the people’s initiative or after House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has completed his own signature drive that will convert the House and Senate into a Constituent Assembly. […]

[…] The Arroyo administration has likened its campaign for charter change to a “train.” While its allies in Congress push for a Constituent Assembly even without the concurrence of the Senate, the so-called people’s initiative is speeding ahead as well. […]

[…] Last March, the government launched a nationwide signature campaign to amend the Constitution through a people’s initiative. “The movement for the petition appears strongest in the Visayas,” the SWS said, where 21 percent of those surveyed said their signatures were solicited. […]

[…] “IT’s a sweet victory,” said former elections chair Christian Monsod, following yesterday’s historic Supreme Court ruling that dismissed the administration-backed people’s initiative petition. But Monsod, spokesperson of the anti-Charter change group One Voice Inc., added “it’s just the first of many battles” as the administration will still push for the amendment of the 19-year-old Constitution through other means. […]

this is good