Time to dance the ‘Cha-cha’?

THE SO- CALLED political theater via the “infamous” proposed Charter change ( Cha- cha) has started. In Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, survey forms for Cha- cha proliferate in barangays. Tanods and barangay health workers ( BHWs) act as “surveyors”. Each barangay is given 500 survey forms. This alarmed citizens and netizens in the province, prompting Gov. Bong Lacson to deny advocating Cha-cha. In washing his hands, he stressed he won’t push Cha-cha in the province.

ALBEE VS RAMA

On the other hand, Bacolod City mayor Albee Benitez and Cebu City mayor Michael “Mike” Rama are at “odds” over Cha-cha. Benitez, chairman of the League of Cities in the Philippines ( LCP), earlier said their group is supporting Cha- cha thru ConAss ( Constitutional Assembly). Rama, LCP national president, however, debunked Ben itez’ s pronouncement. “On our record, we ( LCP) never made a stand on Charter change,” said Rama, in an interview during an online show.

“There was a meeting( in Boracay),” Rama added, “but there was no stand because there were different views on should it be through a constitutional convention or other means. But Albee stressed they’ve passed the LCP resolution aimed at supporting initiatives toward amending the 1987 Philippine Constitution “as these will bring the necessary growth and development needed by our economy.” So, who’s saying the truth?

PRO-CHACHA

Meanwhile, two of the highest officials of the land – Senate President Migz Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez – are now proCha-cha.

Quite surprising on the part of Zubiri. He was branded before as “dead wrong” in his anti- Cha- cha beliefs. But on Monday, Jan.15, he started “dancing Cha-cha.”

After he met with President Marco, Jr. and Speaker Romualdez, he changed his tone and tune on the controversial matter.

He vowed t he Senate will revisit all the economic provisions within the 1987 Constitution. Too, he immediately filed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 06 aimed at amending Articles XII, XIV and XVI of the 1997 Constitution “If not,” Zubiri stressed, “there will be constitutional crisis in the offing.” What is more pressing, however, is on Article XII that dwells on individuals and private groups, including corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations; they shall have the right to own, establish, and operate economic enterprises, subject to the duty of the State to promote distributive justice and to intervene when the common good so demands.

INAPT

Question: Now is the time to Cha-cha?

For me, the answer is: Inapt! Current scenario dictates that we Filipinos are reeling from economic crunch – mahal bugas, isda, karne, itlog, among other commodities. Any change in the Constitution right now can’ t be eaten.

Thus,Zubiri,Ro mu al dez, Benitez, others should think first how to decrease the prices of basic commodities rather than think of Cha- cha. Everybody knows the“real interests” behind the Cha- cha. For the common good? I doubt! Unless the price of rice goes back to P20/ kilo, people will always say “No” to Cha- cha. In sum, changing certain provisions in the Constitution is a futile exercise. Worse, if it’ s a ploy to a certain political ambition, leading to “anarchical leadership”. Hope Filipinos won’t be fooled again./