By Anna Valmero
THE Filipino online community slammed the approval of House Bill 1109 that set up a constituent assembly (ConAss) that might allow the administration to stay in power beyond 2010.
The approval of HB 1109 on Tuesday midnight empowered Congress to convene itself into a Constituent aseembly, where members of the House and the Senate could vote jointly to amend the 1987 Constitution.
Filipino quickly jumped on the issue, as they launched an online website called No to Con-Ass!. Others linked to this site, as they included an online badge that said, “Have you no shame?”
Filipinos also launched an open letter to administration allies at the House of Representatives that read:
The Constitution is a defining moment in history. It is the height of creating a politics of freedom, identity, and national strength, created and ratified on the basis that one’s country is not designed and built on whims, but that of foresight and the common good. It sets a precedent for justice and fairness, and is the building block of democracy in free nations.
June 2, 2009 was a defining moment in history. It is the height of a politics of ignominy, imprudence, and insolence; the approval of a shameless and ambiguously-worded resolution that threatens the very existence of this country’s democracy. One that sets a precedent for injustice, unfairness, and opens the doors for corrupting, unchecked power. You made a grip on the very throat of this country’s democracy, and choked it.
Shameless. That resolution will be tested in the Courts, and perhaps maybe even struck out of the record one day. Forgotten, perhaps, but it should stand - and it will stand - as a testament to shame.
Blogger Marocharim who wrote the statement noted that the letter was supposed to have been sent to Congress but he thought twice, saying that “maybe they’ll just throw it away.”
Asked to compare going out in the streets or launching an online protest, Marocharim says, “I see it as a new channel for resistance, like TV. I’m not saying that it will replace the old, kailangan pa ring mag-rally [we still need to attend a rally].”
“I am not saying one blog entry will change the world. But from the Dumaguete (National Summer) Writers Workshop I attended a couple of weeks ago, I realized how much we (writers) can do. Writing isn’t about hits or self-promotion or form and technique–it’s about making changes both inside and out,” the blogger says.
He quips: “I happened to like my country enough, and to care for this nation enough, to go in front of my computer and write something a small ripple but I’m seeing a wave there somewhere—as plurkers link to the site.”
Personally, he believes that the Constitution is better amended after the 2010 elections for the reason others cite too—prudence.
“When we take the time to sit down, discuss these house bill, get a move-on on the constitution, get everyone involved and educated, debate, disagree, agree–that’s how we do things in democracy; not that way, like they did June 2.”
And this action is also reaching out to political figures: Manuel Luis Quezon III took time to “plurk” a running account of what happened during the Wednesday House session and so did Bayan Muna party list Representative Teddy Casino.
More and more as Filipinos are indeed turning to social networking sites in hopes of swaying political debates.
July 14th, 2009 at 2:56 am
to my fellow beloved co-students be aware what is happening in Our country as a whole,con-ass is not the solution to the economics,political crisis perhaps it could produce another coup de etat
July 14th, 2009 at 2:47 am
this issue about con-ass simply means that ARROYO,administration desperate to extend to the position despite of solving.the problem e2 pa ang naisip ng ating pangulo MAAWA NAMAN KAYO KAY juan
June 19th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
[...] an interview for Inquirer.net Blogs, I mentioned that blog entries do not change the world. The most that I can do as a blogger is to [...]
June 11th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Photos of Congressmen who Signed Con-Ass (HR 1109) — http://filipinowriter.multiply.com/photos/album/84/Photos_of_Congressmen_who_Signed_Con-Ass_HR_1109
June 10th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
The present Constitution of the country really needs the earliest change. It is very flawed, and has to be reconfigured. Let’s give our charter the chance to work for us, to give us more chances to enhance the quality of life in our country.
Those who oppose the present attempt to change the charter are just afraid their favored politicians who harbor some thoughts of capturing the presidency can no longer do it under a changed scenario.
We don’t mind who becomes our leader under the present system because our lives will still remain the same. Whoever sets as president can’t do much because of the flawed system where corruption flourishes. A presidential system doesn’t fit us. BETTER CHANGE IT EARLY SO THAT WE CAN PROGRESS SOONEST.