Pesante-News
Contact: Arturo P. Garcia
Phone- 213-241-0906
Email:
magsasakapil@hotmail.com June 3, 2009
US- Arroyo Regime Replicating Dictator Marcos Charter Change Circa 1973
Los Angeles— In 1973, after declaring martial law, dictator Marcos changed the 1935 constitution. Today-2009, GMA will change it after a legislative coup in the lower house of Congress.
The Philippine Peasant Support Network (Pesante)-USA based in the United States is one with the Filipino American community in vehemently condemning in the strongest terms US Imperialism and its fascist puppet-Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo in blatant direct intervention in the political process in the Philippines. The US government is pushing for Charter Change by amending the 1987 constitution.
Yesterday, June 1, 2009, the GMA controlled House of Representatives passed resolution 1109 that will convene Congress into a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 constitution.
Pesante-USA believes that GMA is retracing the footsteps of dictator Marcos by tinkering with the 1987 constitution. This time not by a military coup but a, legislative coup.
The US supported amendments to the 1987 constitution are 1) the 100% ownership of foreigners of lands and corporations, 2) formalization of VFA and US bases, 3) immunity for GMA 4) change of government form from presidential to parliamentary form 5) and removal of the anti-nuclear provisions of the 1987 charter.
Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III said he voted against the resolution because Congress does not need to pass one in its use of its inherent legislative powers. He added he is also against the "crass" manifestation that the House alone can act in amending the Constitution without engaging the Senate.
The proponents of the measure even admitted that HR 1109 was “just an invitation to both Houses to convene in order to propose amendments to or revise the Constitution.”
Opposition Leader Ronaldo Zamora questioned the haste with which it was being discussed in plenary, with only two-session days left and with other key legislation pending for passage.
“Why the short cut? Why not go for the long haul, for the harder route? Why not eschew the easy path and make the amendments to the Constitution as important as the role of the committee on constitutional amendments?” Zamora said.
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