Bacani to CBCP: Issue statement on Chacha

MANILA, Philippines - A Manila bishop called on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to solidify its stand on Charter change (Chacha) with a statement. Manila bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. made the call saying that all signs point to a term extension for President Arroyo as the ultimate motive for Chacha moves. "I ask my brother bishops to consider if there are not even more serious reasons today to oppose current moves to effect Charter change before the 2010 elections. If we could state our corporate stand against moves to change the Constitution, moves which were suspected to be aimed at prolonging the term of President Ramos, I think we have more reason now to state our corporate stand against Charter-change moves that are suspected to be a disguise for prolonging the rule of a vastly unpopular and ineffective President whose credibility has rendered her unfit to lead our people any longer than 2010," Bacani said in his column in the Manila Standard Today newspaper. "I hope the CBCP Permanent Council convenes to issue a statement for the whole CBCP," he added. He said that regardless of whether it is via constituent assembly (Con-ass) or constitutional convention (Con-con), Filipinos should reject any Chacha attempt before 2010. On the other hand, Bacani, a spiritual adviser of religious group El Shaddai, urged the faithful to speak out, saying now is not the time to be quiet. "Now is not the time for silence. Now is the time to speak out. Charter change through a Constitutional Convention of elected delegates, YES. Charter change through a constituent assembly made up of members of the present congress, NO," he said. He appealed to lawmakers not to allow themselves to be used to keep some people who refuse to let go of power. "Congressmen and congresswomen please don't be willing tools of people who will not let go of power," he said. Bacani, in his column, noted the nation is again under threat with moves to change the 1987 Constitution before 2010. He said people are right to suspect that these moves are really designed to prolong the rule of President Arroyo. "The fact that her own children are in the forefront of these moves and that she does not tell them and her followers to stop pursuing such moves strengthen the suspicion that the prolongation of her rule is the hidden agendum behind these moves," he said. But in calling on the CBCP to issue a new statement against Charter change, Bacani noted the CBCP had "stated unambiguously its position" during a Cha-cha bid under the Ramos administration. - GMANews.TV