This story was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 3, February 19-25, 2006

Counter-initiative vs Cha-Cha Launched

“We cannot match their money. We will match their efforts in order to defeat this sinister plot. ( referring to the planned Charter change of the Arroyo administration)” “We will fight. Tuloy ang laban,” (The struggle continues.) said former Vice President Teofisto Guingona.

BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat

“We cannot match their money. We will match their efforts in order to defeat this sinister plot. (referring to the planned Charter change of the Arroyo administration)” “We will fight. Tuloy ang laban. (The struggle continues.)”

These were the words of Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. at the launching of the People’s Movement Against Arroyo’s Charter Change (People’s March) Thursday at the Cathedral Hall of the Episcopal Church in Quezon City.

Guingona was referring to Arroyo government’s effort to push for Charter change. On the same day the People’s March was launched, Secretary Ronaldo Puno assumed office at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Puno said that his priority was to push for Charter change.

The day before, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza launched the Charter change movement at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The former vice president said Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to divert the people’s attention away from the crisis of legitimacy of her presidency.

He also said that the Arroyo administration is evading questions regarding the fertilizer funds, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) funds and PhilHealth funds. “(Those are) illegal, unlawful expenditures in a campaign,” he said.

Guingona said Arroyo’s allies in Congress are railroading Charter change. “Walang debate sa committee. May quorum pa raw pero wala na.” (There was no debate during the committee hearings.  They said there was a quorum but in reality there was none.) 

Return to martial law

Meanwhile, Atty. Neri Colminares, spokesperson of Counsel for the Defense of Civil Liberties (CODAL) said Charter change signals the return to martial law and repression. 

Colminares criticized the deletion of safety mechanisms regarding the declaration of martial law. He cited the proposed deletion of provisions setting a 60-day limit to a state of martial law and writ suspension. Colminares said that the proposed changes also remove the power of the Supreme Court to look into the factual basis of a martial law proclamation.

Colminares explained that the inclusion of ‘imminent danger’ to the grounds for the declaration of martial law is very dangerous.  “This is dangerous…especially for a president who considers any form of criticism as an attack on her personality and on the state; a president who considers any form of protest as a threat to national security. “

He said twenty to thirty thousand people massing up could be seen as an imminent danger for this government.

Promoting land monopoly

At the launching, Danilo Ramos, chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Movement of Peasants in the Philippines) or KMP said, “Ang Cha-Cha ay malaking delubyo para sa mga magsasaka.” (Charter change will mean the end of the world for Filipino farmers.)

Ramos explained that the Charter change will worsen land monopoly and will not bring about genuine land reform.

Under the Investor Land Lease Act, foreign entities could lease land for 75 years. The lease is renewable for 25 years. Ramos said the average life span of a Filipino is 56 years. “Patay na si Tano, nandiyan pa rin ang mga dayuhan.” (Even when Tano the farmer is already dead, foreigners will still be occupying the land.)

Enemy of the environment

Ester de Tagle of Environmental Advocates for Gloria’s Expulsion (ENRAGE), underscored the ill effects of Charter change to the environment.

Tagle said the Philippines is a biodiversity superstar. “People in rural areas depend on natural resources and the environment for their livelihood and survival. Paano na sila kapag naipasa ang Cha-Cha,” (What will happen to them if Charter change will be approved?) Tagle said.

Tagle added that the greatest enemy of the environment is this government. “Si Gloria ay nakikipaggiyera sa kalikasan.” (Gloria is waging war against nature.) She cited the upholding of the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995 and the logging permits issued to corporations.

Increase rates of public utilities

Furthermore, Dr. Giovanni Tapang, chairperson of Samahan ng Nagtataguyod ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Sambayanan (Agham or the Association of Scientists and Technologists for the People) discussed how Charter change will result to further increases in the rates of services such as electricity, water and transportation.

Tapang said provisions in the proposed Charter allow complete control and ownership of foreigners of vital services and utilities our people use daily. Charter Change will delete the foreign ownership cap on public utilities. Tapang said, “The deletion together with other provisions promoting liberalization provides for greater economic power and access to aliens and foreign corporations and will result in greater damage to the economic interest of the Filipino people.”

He added, “Today, the extent of foreign control in public utilities is already wide-ranging.“  Tapang identified several foreign corporations involved in the oil industry, water, electricity and transportation sectors.

Tapang said, “Our experience on the privatization of utilities such as water and power has only brought the people ever increasing rates on services.”

Below is a table showing increases in oil prices, transportation fares, and electricity and water rates. 

Undermining national sovereignty and territorial integrity

Another People’s March convenor, Prof. Roland Simbulan, said the Charter change will undermine national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Simbulan said, “Ayaw tayong tantanan ng mga dayuhang interes.” (Foreign interests refuse to leave us alone.)

Simbulan said Charter change will allow direct deployment of foreign troops, entry of nuclear weapons and even the return of foreign military bases.

He cited provisions in the 1987 Constitution that will be deleted.  These provisions, he said, protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Simbulan provided the reasons behind the sell-out of national sovereignty, “Mahalaga sa ilehitimong gobyerno ni Arroyo ang suporta ng US.” (The support of the U.S. is important for the illegitimate Arroyo government.)

Signature drive

The People’s March initiated a signature drive against Charter change. (Please link Five Reasons Why We Oppose Arroyo’s Charter Change)

Dr. Carol Araullo, People’s March convenor and chairperson of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said, “The fight is on. We will go house to house, parish to parish, town to town, to inform the public on the real agenda behind charter change. This is a genuine people’s counter-initiative to charter change “

Other convenors of the People’s March include Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Bishop Alberto Ramento and Bsp. Godofredo David, Msgr. Ernesto Cruz, Fr. Joe Dizon and Sr. Ma. Gemma C. Dinglasan RGS.

Dr. Ruben Caragay (UP Institute of Public Health), Prof. Edberto Villegas (UP Manila), Dr. Giovanni Tapang (AGHAM), Jonathan Pimentel (UP Academic Union), Prof. Lito Manalili (UP College of Social Work and Community Development), Dr. Ramon Guillermo (UP College of Arts and Letters).

Atty. Neri Colmenares (Counsel for the Defense of Civil Liberties), Atty. Remigio Saladero (PRO LABOR), Dr. Carol Araullo (Bayan), Former Labor USEC Amado “Gat” Inciong, Former Human Rights Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic (United Muslims for Truth and Morality). Bulatlat

© 2006 Bulatlat ■  Alipato Publications

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