Arroyo House allies railroad through Senate-less con-ass

MANILA, Philippines - Amid objections from members of both the majority and the minority, the House of Representatives on late Tuesday evening approved a resolution seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly that would amend the 1987 Constitution. Members of the majority triumphed in a viva voce voting that was done following Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen's approved motion to close debates on House Resolution 1109 even though there were still a number of opposition lawmakers waiting in line to question the measure's sponsors. Resolution 1109 calls for constitutional amendments through a constituent assembly even without Senate participation. Several congressmen protested vigorously to the closing of debates and to the motion to approve the controversial resolution. "I am distressed that after such a long process, we should end up like this," said Minority Leader and San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, adding that the House should not have acted on the measure so swiftly. "Why do we keep fighting? Always, Mr. Speaker, to speak for the record. Always, it is to appeal to history to define what principles we stand for, always to fight, always to fight for the day of deliverance. Mr. Speaker, that day will come," he said. Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño expressed his disgust over the turn of events on the floor. "By approving 1109, by ignoring the Senate, by insisting on these unconstitutional and improperly deliberated measure, we are putting democracy in danger," he said. Majority members, too Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. - formerly a staunch ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - joined the minority in opposing HR 1109, which he said had no "message" as it does not push for any specific proposal. "It is very clear that we do not really seek to amend the Constitution. And if we must amend the Constitution, my proposal, Mr. Speaker, as it is the proposal of many others here, let us amend the Constitution after the term of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has passed," said De Venecia. He added that it was preferable to amend the Constitution through a constitutional convention instead of through a constituent assembly. The resolution states that its more than 170 co-authors are "resolved with finality" that the terms of the following will not be extended – the incumbent president and vice president, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, and other elected officials whose term of office will expire in 2010. It also provides that the 12 senators who were elected in 2007 for a six-year term will be allowed to finish their terms, and that the 2010 elections should push through as scheduled. But Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, head of the Liberal Party bloc in the House, said he is "unconvinced" that proponents would not insert term extensions. "The scope of amendments that the assembly may propose cannot possibly be bound by a 'whereas' clause in a House resolution," said Tañada. Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla slammed what he described as the "blatant disregard of parliamentary rules." "This is the worst Congress in the annals of history," said Padilla. A question of priorities The House adopted the resolution a day before the last session day despite senators' and opposition congressmen's objection that the House could not push through with such a move without the Senate's institutional participation. Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the House should have acted on the measure extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program instead of prioritizing HR 1109. The program is set to expire June 30, but Congress will not resume session until late July after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's State of the Nation Address. Speaker Prospero Nograles, the first signatory in the resolution, has repeatedly denied administration critics' accusation that the House seeks to extend the term of President Arroyo. He has also denied allegations that Malacañang gave a "marching order" for lawmakers to approve the measure. Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., one of the measure's sponsors on the floor, said the House leadership and the Rules Committee would decide what the next step would be following the approval of HR 1109.- GMANews.TV