MO-CHACHA KA BA O MO-TANGO?

After the impeachment complaints were hurriedly snuffed in the Lower House of Congress, the discussion on the proposed CHA-CHA has become more intense. The issue may be simply reduced to a question on whether or not we would like to have an authentic revision of our Constitution or we follow the administration’s version through Sigaw ng Bayan’s People’s Initiative or through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) in Congress dominated by GMA’s compliant cabal. Simply stated and in the vernacular, MO-CHACHA KA BA UG TIUNAY? O MO-TANGO KA DUYOG NI GMA?

In our city, we hear the stand of the opposing forces becoming quite audible. While we have seen our very own mayor campaigning for signatures for the People’s Initiative (which I consider as a downright manifestation of boot-licking of GMA), we see some sectors, mostly from the businessmen, giving us alternatives. The group of Joe Nebrao, Engaged Citizens of Cagayan de Oro (ENGAGED), joined hands with One Voice in condemning the “railroading” of the passing of Resolution HR - 1230 in the Lower House.

Quite interesting is the speech of then Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Christian Monsod of One Voice when he came over to our city last week. He has laid bare the various scenarios if we support the People’s Initiative, spearheaded by Sigaw ng Bayan, or the version submitted by the Committee on Constitutional Amendments to the House headed by our very own Cong. Tinnex Jaraula.

While listening to Christian Monsod, who looked old but still in his fighting form, one could sense that he treated this issue with intense fragility as it may one day spell our country’s prosperity or debacle. He revealed that the situation is almost akin to the early 70’s which ended up in the dictatorship of Marcos for fourteen long dark years.

The desire of GMA for a charter change appears more for her self interest than for the people. Christian Monsod said, “Con-Ass is a quick preemptive strike for charter change with the same objective as People’s Initiative – a shift to parliamentary unicameral plus a powerful Interim Parliament. Once constituted, the Interim Parliament can do anything, including changing the transitory provisions itself. It will have plenary powers without having to deal with a Senate. The real issue of charter change then is about power and about a creeping authoritarianism.”

Ultimately, this issue may end up being thrown back to us, the common people, through a plebiscite. But then it might be too late. According to Monsod, when this contentious issue reaches the plebiscite stage, GMA could easily manipulate the results in cahoots with the local government, the military and the COMELEC as she did during the 2004 Presidential Elections.

The manipulation has already started. GMA herded more than 2000 third termer councilors over the weekend in Cebu City to taste a bit of brainwashing as she campaigned for “No to 2007 Elections (No-El)” and towards a parliamentary system.

The clamor for charter change in order to have a more responsive government for the needed economic and social reforms in our country is so imminent and no doubt, will inevitably come. However, if we take a longer road through a Constitutional Convention, we might have a more credible way of achieving what we aspire for – a transparent, accountable and responsive governance. But if we dance to the tune of GMA through Sigaw ng Bayan and the Contituent Assembly, we might end up with a charade called “TANGO CRIMINAL”and a government that undermines our freedom while the minions of GMA enrich themselves at our expense.