IS Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo singing a different tune on Charter change? Or does it sound more like a tired, old refrain?
In the face of public outrage over the House majority’s railroading of a resolution calling for the convening of a constituent assembly without the institutional participation of the Senate, Arroyo had to concede that it is not the right time to revise the constitution, leaving it to the people to decide when and what manner it would be best undertaken.
Today, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Asian Development Bank, just two days after a prayer rally called by the Catholic Church failed to draw huge crowds, Arroyo again spoke of charter change, calling it her administration’s “platform commitment” that will be pursued “with urgency and fervor.”
Judge for yourself.
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ARROYO’S RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS ON CHARTER CHANGE
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DECEMBER 14, 2006
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I commend the decision of the House leadership as an act of statesmanship to unify not only the two chambers of the legislature but the whole nation around the issue of Charter change. I thank Speaker Joe de Venecia and his valiant allies in the House for heeding the voice of national consolidation and unity, without sacrificing their high vision of political renewal. It is time to gather together all the energies of our people for the continuing work ahead — maintaining our economic strength, ensuring the social payback of economic reforms, and helping distressed communities back to their feet. Philippine democracy will always find the proper time and opportunity for Charter reform at a time when the people deem it ripe and needful, and in the manner they deem proper. The nation must consolidate now and I call upon all our institutions and sectors to stand as one for the country’s future.
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DECEMBER 19, 2006
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Let me therefore take this opportunity to say a few things on charter change. Actually, three realities that we face as a nation: One, that the people accept the need for charter change to overhaul the system; Two, that there is a need for a unified consensus on the means and the timetable; And three, that this is a platform commitment of our administration that will be pursued with urgency and fervor. These realities will continue to shape our actions for the better future of the Philippines. Working closely and inclusively with all stakeholders and institutions. Observing transparency, and backing up the entire process with a strong economy, social payback and values programs. This is a matter of paramount national interest and our leaders must all rise to the challenge. (excerpts of speech during the 40th anniversary of the Asian Development Bank)
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5 Responses to Singing a different tune on Cha-cha?
baycas
December 19th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
singing a different tune on charter change?
no, just a change back to her original character.
Ambuot Saimo
December 19th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
… eh kasi daw, ang cha-cha ay talagang atras-abante as opposed to tango where the partners go together in unison. nampu cha chang ina talaga!!!
bluemoon
December 21st, 2006 at 5:33 pm
In the first place, Arroyo never said she was giving up on charter change. It’s not her fault her statements were taken out of context by those who want to make it look as if she was cowed by the threat of a “people power” rally (which turned out to be another FLOP). The con-ass move was shelved because some of the administration congressmen themselves were against it.
Arroyo simply acknowledged the need for a national consensus on the time and manner of pursuing charter change. She by no means said that she was giving up her advocacy for charter change.
bagyo
January 4th, 2007 at 7:32 am
The reason for cha cha is very simple.
The professional politcians wants to abolish the term limits that was set by the 1986 constitution.
kaizer
September 25th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
It’s 1987, and the term for the parliament, according to concom proposition, is 5 yrs., It’s actually lessened.