CBCP planning nationwide protest vs constituent assembly

[Puchok]

Makasingit at makapagtanong na nga po mga tsikoters.

Pag Parliamentary Form of Government ba paano system?

Medyo nalilito ako sa type of government na ito eh.

Thanks!

[metatron]

Do not be fooled by muddled interpretations of the term: "The separation of Church and State."

The true meaning is also the simplest and most literal: that neither entity can use the other to advance its agenda.

Thus, the concept of 'separation' does not prohibit the clergy from exercising what they view as their right and duty as citizens.

If there is an opinion that acting as one religious group is wrong... Kindly consider that it is common sense that a group of people acting as one body through religion is no different from a group of people acting as one body through ideology.

I agree with this one. the separation of church and state simply attempts to prevent the encroachment of party/group ideologies from the composition and implementation government law (like in the days of the spanish rule). unfortunately/fortunately leaders of the faith can always "influence" government decisions.

the cbcp has lost all its moral mandate in my book. ever since they decided it was ok for gloria to have cheated in the 2004 elections since everyone else was doing it anyway and when the bishops received "thanks, nice doing business with you" money envelopes after they voted not to support the recent impeachment proceedings against gloria.

its good to see that the cbcp has finally opened their eyes to what gloria has been trying to do to this country for the longest time. but i'd rather support protests without the cbcp at the helm.


:::for those who are planning to attend the rally please do so. don't let the mutterings of a cbcp cynic prevent you from expressing your constitutional right.:::

[Zeus]

Inquirer Headline Today

It's all-out war against constituent assembly

On Dec. 15, all roads lead to Rizal Park
By Carla Gomez, Nestor P. Burgos Jr., Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
Last updated 00:18am (Mla time) 12/08/2006

Published on Page A1 of the December 8, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE CATHOLIC Church is organizing a massive prayer rally on Dec. 15 against the House of Representatives' move to amend the Constitution by convening itself into a constituent assembly (Con-ass).
Part of the Church's plan is to fill up Rizal Park in Manila which, in rallies past, had held up to around one million people.
A Protestant umbrella group, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, is joining the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines and the charismatic Catholic group El Shaddai in opposing the Malacañang-backed move in the House.
Other groups and individuals such as labor and peasant organizations and President Joseph Estrada are calling on their forces to oppose Con-ass.
Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the CBCP, issued on Wednesday a strongly worded statement describing the House effort as "fraudulently illegal and scandalously immoral."
The CBCP yesterday said simultaneous prayer rallies would be held in all dioceses around the country, according to Msgr. Pedro Quitorio, conference spokesperson.
The country has 86 dioceses, including the military ordinariate, the Church unit for soldiers and policemen headed by Bishop Leopoldo Tumulak.
"There is a need to respond more collectively to the present crisis produced by the prospect of Charter change (Cha-cha) by administration congressmen desperately bent on creating themselves into a constituent assembly," Lagdameo said in the statement titled "Watch and Pray: Magmalasakit Para sa Bayan."
He called on people to be vigilant, saying the temptation to manipulate and to hold on to power endangers the common good and the safety of the greatest number.
Rosales' blessing
Quitorio said the prayer rally had the blessing of Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, archbishop of the powerful Metropolitan See of Manila.
The low-key cardinal is known to shy away from politics, preferring instead to focus quietly on poverty alleviation and values formation programs in his archdiocese.
Rosales is expected to join other Metro Manila bishops at Rizal Park for the big anti-Charter change prayer rally, according to Quitorio. The other prelates are Bishops Deogracias Iñiguez of Caloocan, Antonio Tobias of Novaliches, Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao, Jesse Mercado of Parañaque and Francisco San Diego of Pasig.
Quitorio said the rally was the bishops' reaction to developments in the House, particularly the adoption of the majority bloc's resolution convening Congress into a constituent assembly.
No more morals
"We are alarmed with what's happening at the lower house," he told the Inquirer. "There are no more morals, no more rules. The rule is what suits administration congressmen."
Quitorio said the CBCP was particularly dismayed that supporters of President Macapagal-Arroyo seemed more preoccupied with their political interest in Manila while thousands of Filipinos were dying and starving in Bicol in the aftermath of Typhoon "Reming."
He said it was unwise for the Arroyo administration and its allies in the House to push for Con-ass with apparent haste and questionable motives. "They're just instigating the people," he said.
Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. confirmed last night that he met with El Shaddai leader Bro. Mariano "Mike" Velarde early in the day in a bid to forge an alliance against the House-only Con-ass.
"I've been going around conferring with groups opposed to Con-ass to apprise them of the Senate position, as well as to get their position," he said.
The Senate invited Velarde, who earlier told the Inquirer that he would block the legally flawed House Con-ass, to a hearing set for Monday on the proposals to amend the Constitution.
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, which pushed for the dismissed people's initiative to amend the Charter, sought a breakfast meeting with Villar today in a bid to broker a dialogue between the Senate and House on Charter change.
Nat'l Council of Churches
In a statement, the NCCP said it was joining "the CBCP and other sectors of society in their efforts to thwart this deceptive machination to tinker with the Constitution."
The NCCP said it was not against Charter change per se. "Amendments are necessary in order for the Charter to ensure the welfare of the citizens. No doubt, the present Constitution stands in need of substantial improvement, but definitely not at this time and certainly not for the wrong reasons," it said.
In Tanay, Rizal, where he is detained, Estrada urged Filipinos to go out into the streets and protest Con-ass.
"With every breath I have, I will fight this unconscionable rape of our Constitution and the murder of our democracy and freedoms," Estrada said in a statement.
He deplored the move of the House majority to convene a Con-ass without the cooperation of the Senate.
"As in 2001 when (President Macapagal-Arroyo) mounted a coup d'etat in January to depose [me], the Constitution was treated as a dirty rag. There was no respect shown for the Constitution and democracy, with the sacred document and covenant with the Filipino people trampled by the coup plotters," he said.
Estrada, despite five years in detention, remains the acknowledged leader of the United Opposition.
In May 2001, Estrada's arrest and detention caused thousands of his loyalists to come out into the streets and picket the Edsa Shrine in what would be called Edsa III.
Davao businessmen
In Davao City, businessmen are opposing Con-ass as a means of introducing amendments to the Constitution, an official of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) said.
DCCCII has about 386 members and is considered one of the country's influential business groups.
But lawyer Bienvenido Cariaga, DCCCII president, clarified the chamber was not against the moves to amend the Constitution. He said the chamber would prefer a constitutional convention (Con-con) as a way of introducing changes in the Charter to prevent politicians from inserting provisions that would serve their interests.
He said during the chamber's general assembly on Dec. 2, at least 55 members stood up for Con-con while only two voted in favor of Con-ass. Cariaga said on Tuesday the chamber distributed survey forms and found out that 99 percent of those who answered were against Con-ass.
He said businessmen fear that the Con-ass would become a venue for politicians to introduce changes that would only further their personal agenda.
Widespread protests
Militant groups are also gearing for widespread protest actions.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said it would mobilize its 1.5 million members to launch protest actions against Con-ass.
"We should also join our forces with that of the Church and the El Shaddai as well as other forces genuinely against Charter change and have the people's interest at heart," said KMP secretary general Danilo Ramos in an e-mailed statement.
The Kilusang Mayo Uno, Partido Manggagawa and Sanlakas said they were planning mass actions in Metro Manila and elsewhere against Con-ass.
"If they think the people would accept hook, line and sinker the Cha-cha they're cooking, they're mistaken," said KMU chair Elmer Labog.
Labog said that once the Constitution was opened to amendments or revisions, basic labor rights such as the eight-hour daily work, prohibition on contractual jobs and freedom to form unions might be removed.
Noise barrage
Members of Partido Manggagawa and allies Sanlakas and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino held a noise barrage at noon yesterday against Con-ass at Mabuhay Rotunda in Quezon City, along Edsa at the corners of North and Timog Avenues, Malinta interchange in Valenzuela City and SM Fairview.
Today, the Ilonggos' Movement Against Arroyo's Charter Change (I March) and Bagong Alyansang Mabayan in Panay will kick off their protest actions in Iloilo City.
In Ormoc City, Msgr. Bernardo Pantin, parish priest of the Saints Peter and Paul, called on the faithful to raise a collective voice to stop the "Cha-cha" train.With reports from Juliet Labog-Javellana, Norman Bordadora and Jerome Aning in Manila; Joey Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas; Rizalene Acac and Julie Alipala, Inquirer Mindanao

[Altis6453]

Makasingit at makapagtanong na nga po mga tsikoters.

Pag Parliamentary Form of Government ba paano system?

Medyo nalilito ako sa type of government na ito eh.

Thanks!

Instead of 3 branches of government, you effectively have only 2 (Parliament and the Judiciary). The head of state or Prime Minister is elected from among the members of Parliament which is the legislative body. The members of parliament are generally elected at large (or by district). The Prime Minister then forms his cabinet. If Parliament casts a vote of no confidence in the PM, he or she can be replaced without need of national elections. Conversely, the PM can generally call for a dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for election of new members of parliament (MP).

Supposedly, policy-making and law-making is more expedient since the PM enjoys the support of the lawmakers who appointed him as head of state.

My 2 cents: While I agree there should be changes to the Constitution, it should not affect the 3 branches of government (Executive, Congress and the Judiciary). Also, there should be no term extensions, especially for current members of Congress and instead national elections should be held for MPs. Last, there should be an absolute prohibition on family members of incumbent politicians from running for any public office for a period of 6 years after the term of the current one expires to prevent any political dynasty. That way, the citizenry will have an infusion of fresh blood or ideas (not to mention honesty) in government.

[jonski]

I think French style yata gagawing parliamentary gagawin sa pinas. mga tao ang boboto sa prime minister.


sana ma abolish na senate.

[t2erns]

hay salamat makakpag post na rin ng aking rant dyan sa chacha express ng mga immoral na crongressmen na obvious naman ang kanilang layunin ay para mas mahaba ang panahon nila sa pagkurakot sa kaban ng bayan. i'm not against sa pag ammend ng constitution (medyo kailangan na talaga) but not sa paraan ng pambababoy mismo sa ating constitution. dapat muna tapusin ang term nila at saka bumuo ng con-ass at least mga bagong halal ng bayan ang members.

[Altis6453]

I think French style yata gagawing parliamentary gagawin sa pinas. mga tao ang boboto sa prime minister.


sana ma abolish na senate.

Actually, the proposal is for parliament to elect or appoint the PM. Aren't you wondering why JDV is so intent on having the constitution amended before the elections? If he succeeds, he becomes the PM due to the influence he exercises over the majority of the incumbent congressmen who will also be hold-over members of parliament once the consitutional amendments are ratified.

[hotwheels]

I think French style yata gagawing parliamentary gagawin sa pinas. mga tao ang boboto sa prime minister.


sana ma abolish na senate.

I second the motion. dapat ma-abolish na ang senate, they have done nothing for the people. all they do is investigation/inquiry in aide of legislation but look at their record. we are spending a lot for their pork barrel

Church separation from the state: rally and or demonstration won't help. Church is also one of the reason why our economy in this country are having a hard time to improved because of their stand in birth control. everybody is telling the disparity between the rich and the poor. Actual population growth, those in the middle income family has two, three at the most children but those poor family (living at the squatters area) have an average of four or more children in a family. in time comes, there will be more poor people in this country

the pro and anti cha/ha politician are just protecting their own vested interest. what they should do is the explain to the masses the reason for changing/amending to the form of government. what are the benefits to the people. How 90% of our masses does not know what they are talking about.

what we need right now is to know their proposed changes, we are the ones who will ratify this changes. Participate in every discussion to have a better knowledge on what would benefit to the people and not to those selfish politician.

[shadow]

what I don't like about parliamentary is that the only thing that a filipino have is the power to vote their leaders yun na lang ang kaisaisang meron ang pilipino, the only time na feeling ng filipino na meron naman silang "say" sa nangyayari sa bansa natin is during election...forget about na- nagagarci rin lang tayo during election, yun pa ang gusto nilang alisin....

we all know kung bakit sobrang supportive si GMA dito sa initiative to change to parliamentary, dahil come election time next year siguradong talo lahat ng allies niya sa congress and, sigurado na rin makkalusot ang impoeachment next congress,

ito naman si JDV, talunan kasi sa pagka president kaya pilit na gusto ng parliament para maging head of state namna siya. and he keep on saying na para wala na edsa-edsa kung gusto palitan ang PM, mapapalitan agad...with the same people in congress right now who will also seat in the parliament, malabo mangyari na mapalitan si JDV as PM. a good example would be thailand it also took them a coup to remove their PM, as long as meron kang pera to give to the members of the parliament, habang buhay ka ng PM.

if the congress now can do what they have been doing, what more kung member na sila ng parliament? sila-sila na lang ang magpapalitpalit as PM..

for me, it's not the system ang problem, but more of yun mga people on it...

[shadow]

I'm more in favor of federal system than a parliament, so parng sa US, different states have different laws, they take care of themselves hinde na sila umaasa sa federal gov't, so dito different region naman, gumawa sila ng sarili nila taxes, laws etc.. para hinde na rin umasa sa national gov't.