In
a move to "diffuse the growing crisis" caused by the House Representatives'
bid to convene a constituent assembly (ConAss) in amending the Charter, Gov. Erico
Aumentado strongly endorsed the Malacañang-backed initiative to form a
Constitutional Convention (ConCon) yesterday.
This
is also the official stand of the 1.7-million strong Union of Local Authorities
of the Philippines (ULAP) and the League of Provinces of the Philippines which
are both headed by the Bohol governor.
Aumentado
made public the ULAP-LPP stand during a visit he made at station dyRD, 10:30 am
yesterday, barely hours after discussing the ConCon move with Senate President
Manuel Villar and House' spokesman Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin.
According
to the governor, the position of ULAP and LPP seeks to unify the nation and prevent
a nationwide crisis caused by the ConAss proposal pursued by members of the House.
The
plan to convene a ConAss set-off resistance among civil society as administration
congressmen found themselves being berated by the Catholic Bishops Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP), El Shaddai, Jesus is Lord and militant groups who have
united to launch massive demonstration protests against the Arroyo administration
starting December 15.
"Under
the administration of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the peso grew stronger against
the dollar, we also saw the rise in international reserves to $22.5 billion, the
highest in the country's history so far while the country's growth is teemed-up
with infrastructure programs largely benefiting Bohol," Aumentado stressed.
He
said the constant conflict between the Senate and the House has prompted Pres.
Arroyo to initiate a shift from the presidential to parliamentary form of government
through Charter Change and with the petition for People's Initiative being junked
by the Supreme Court, convening a constitutional convention is the remaining option
which is also acceptable to senators.
| | | ConCon
is "a happy compromise" in amending the constitution, Aumentado explained.
Accordingly, local elections will push through in May 2007 with a simultaneous
selection for the constitutional convention delegates.
"I
suggest that we elect the Con-con delegates together with the 12 senators and
local officials during the May 2007 elections," he said.
Aumentado
also told Rep. Romualdo to invoke Speaker Jose De Venecia's statesmanship in putting
the interests of the country first and push for ConCon instead of ConAss.
The
governor called on those who are planning to hold street demonstrations, militant
groups and church organizations, to abandon their plans and support the local
authorities' advocacy. |
"So,
ULAP and LPP are asking Senate President Manny Villar and House Speaker Jose de
Venecia to pass concurring resolutions that would be the happy compromise in finding
change," he said.
"The
future of our nation and the next generation is at stake here. Let us refrain
from
anarchy otherwise the momentum of progress and development we are experiencing
now will grind to a standstill," he said. Besides,
it is Christmas. It is time to reconcile and harmonize conflicting
positions.
ULAP and LPP support a happy compromise; I hope that the House of Representatives,
the Senate, civil society and other groups will support such a compromise, too,"
the governor concluded.
SOLON'S
VIEWS
The
three Bohol solons who are identified with the administration were supporters
of the Con-ass initiated by the House last week.
Rep.
Edgar Chatto told the Chronicle that he is personally for Concon but he reportedly
voted for Con-ass.
In
a text message he sent to town mayors, he said "Con-con maybe the best remaining
option for the country to achieve meaningful and credible Cha-cha in time with
the elections next year.
For
his part, Rep. Eladio Jala, who is a last termer solon, said that having election
of delegates to compose the Con-con simultaneously with the 2007 elections will
provide an atmosphere of peaceful political exercise.
Rep.
Roberto Cajes could not be contacted for comments. | 
