Resolution 1109 and People Power

Father Joaquin Bernas agreed with the position taken by New Philippine Revolution that only People Power can reverse the action taken by the House of Representatives on Resolution 1109(Thea Alberto, " Charter Change could spark People Power" at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090604-208825/Charter-change-could-spark-People-Power).

Now, I don't agree with the position taken by some bloggers that there is nothing to worry about here, since Congress has not constituted itself as an Assembly. That position is faulty and worrisome because it assumes the position of Malacanang itself. Probably, they have'nt realized the gravity of the action of the Lower House.

By intentionally leaving out the Senate in the deliberations, and passage of Resolution 1109, that provocative act by the Lower House was meant as a challenge to the Senate for a showdown of force. Actually, the Lower House already succeeded in proving the irrelevance of the Senate. By arrogating full legislative powers, the Lower House just showed how the Legislature can still function by just one House.

Without any proof that democratic processes have been impaired by the exclusion of the Senate in legislative procedure, there is nothing to prevent the Lower House from moving decisively forward, since they have shown in concrete terms, that they have the numbers, and the muscle, to force such an issue.

That said, the message that the architects of Resolution 1109 is simple---it has shown the irrelevance of the Senate. The Rasputins of the Lower House even used a mere Resolution to spite the Senate. Yes, it is unconstitutional. Yes, it is immoral and patently illegal. Yet, the issue here is not about legalities or immorality, no.

This is actually an ideological or polemical war meant to justify the eventual shift from a bicameral to a unicameral form of legislature. The architects of this Resolution are trying to show the relevance of unicameralism, that one House can pass such a monumental piece of legislation by using a mere resolution.

Now, on the issue of transmittal. Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile is confident that nothing will come about this Resolution since the Lower House will eventually transmit the same to them.

Is'nt it patently clear that the Lower House is not going to do that? Since it has succeeded in the first time, why would the Lower House go the "constitutional route" when they already accomplished what they intended through the extra-constitutional route?

The Lower House already committed a heinous crime by intentionally leaving the Senate out of the process and formalizing it through a viva voce vote. All of them are liable for the crime of treason. They all know that. Now, why the rush and the brazen show of force?

These Congressmen are banking on the support of Malacanang. The 20 million pesos "bribe money" coursed thru the PDAF is just for starters. What they eventually want is for the parliamentary elections to push thru since this will give a new lease of life to third termers and give in to the plan of Malacanang for Gloria Forever.

A patently illegal move by the Lower House justifies the use of an extra-constitutional action. Why? Because that's the only recourse left for the Senate to justify its relevance in a "bicameral" form of legislature. The Senate must show its strength by marshalling its national constituency. There is no other means to counter the action taken by the Lower House.

People power is our last resort since this will show the way for the Lower House to rectify itself and do self-censure. If they don't see the numbers in the streets, they would proceed with their dastardly plan of changing the form of government.

On the legality of Resolution 1109

For all intents and purposes, Resolution 1109 is legal, except that the wordings of the bill itself is patently illegal. The Lower House has the power to deliberate and pass a Resolution. Yet, that Resolution is half-baked. It should pass to the Senate to be able to achieve full legality.

Now, what if the Lower House decides not to transmit this resolution to the Senate? What if they succeed in their provocation and constitute themselves

The Legal Option

This is my suggestion---prevent every member of the Lower House to physically attend a special session to be announced later by Speaker Nograles. Groups should do whatever means necessary to prevent Congressmen from attending this session.

The Cycle of Shame

Have’nt you noticed that everytime this administration’s lackeys escape the long arm of the law, they become more brazen in stealing our money? From 1997 up to 2008, the total money which went out of the public coffers and lined the pockets of corrupt and greedy men has cost us more than 67 billion pesos already–enough to subsidize the daily nutritional requirements of Metro Manila’s poor for 3 years. The spike of graft cases occurred just lately, with government deals reaching over the multi-billion peso mark.

Recently, we saw how multi-million dollar projects turn into billion dollars overnight. One example is the Northrail project. We saw how government officials tried to feast on a multi-million telecommunications which only went sour when the public turn vigilante.

Now, our government is opening up the mining and oil fields sector in hopes of getting some much-needed revenues. It’s actually good if the revenues from these projects go straight to us. In all likelihood, some of it may fatten the bank accounts of a few.

The reason being, most of our government officials have a misplaced concept of accountability. High government officials think that they owe their positions to the appointing power instead of the public. They don’t recognize that those monies which have been entrusted to them belong to the people. Yes, we have checks and balances, like the vaulted Commission on Audit. And yes, we have prosecuting arms that investigate and file cases. Yet, for all of these, we find not a single big one, the mastermind, prosecuted for graft and corruption.

So, the impression that these thieves have is, they can get away with murder for as long as (1) they enjoy the trust of the real powers behind the seat of power and (2) the higher they are in the totem pole, the least likely they’ll be prosecuted and put behind bars. Its understandable, given the laxity our agencies put behind anti-graft campaigns.

So, expect more anomalous deals. Brace for more multi-billion peso ones since elections is just around the corner. These deals are out to fatten the pockets of a privileged few just to keep them happy and contented. Anyway, it’s just a simple paper bearing the Seal of the Highest Office that they keep as license for fiduciary murder.

And we go to the very core of this issue–the perpetuation of this thievery by a patronage-oriented leadership. For as long as we have an administration that is being held hostage by its own savage and greedy officials, graft cases will keep on rising. Look–how many of our leaders would benefit from an impeachment complaint? Most, I guess. Those who’ll support will have the promises of rewards. Those who’ll not, will always have the license to continue what they already started. This cycle of thievery of the highest order has already been there. And it will continue unabated for as long as these people in government fail to recognize that there are dire consequences in life, liberty and property should they misplace their accountabilities. For now, we only have God to go to seek comfort whenever we hear of another government official’s guffaws all the way to the bank.