The administration-dominated House of Representatives led by Speaker Jose de Venecia formally shelved last week its stupid assertion to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly in order to propose amendments to the Constitution.

Certainly, de Venecia was not smiling from ear to ear when his "Chacha train" was met with a barrage of widespread public criticism that even led Malacañang to distance itself from the issue and abandon its advocacy for a "grand debate for Charter change."

But we must credit the statesmanship displayed by de Venecia in stopping is cohorts in the Lower House to proceed with the very unpopular ConAss. It could have been the powder keg of yet another political turmoil in the country. Never mind the semantics resorted by the House Speaker in shelving the ConAss i.e. giving the Senate a deadline to pass a resolution calling for a Constitutional Convention, it's a matter of style, you know.

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For how could de Venecia and his gang proceed with the ConAss after the influential Iglesia ni Cristo stepped into the issue and even made an unscheduled presidential audience last week?

How would the administration allies in the House of Representatives fare with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) which issued a strongly-worded pastoral letter opposing ConAss? The pastoral letter is expected to be read during homilies in today's Masses nationwide.

Never mind the histrionics displayed by some senators described by Rep. Teddyboy Locsin as "not so distinguished members" of the Senate led by Mr. Sharon Cuneta, a.k.a. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, author of the infamous Republic Act 9344. Ramon "Bong, Idol Ko Si Kap" Revilla already read a prepared statement against ConAss. We eagerly awaited the official pronouncements from Mr. Vilma a Santos a.k.a. Ralph Recto, actors Lito Lapid and Jinggoy Estrada but there was none except for their "ambush" interviews.

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In other words, ConAss is dead and this means that the May elections next year will proceed. Happy days are here again, yehey!

Elections in this country are considered a major national fund-raising event. Its sanctity being the official delegation of the sovereign power of the people to command and enforce obedience within the state to our elected officials had long been consigned to the dustbin in lieu of its lucrative monetary value.

When one bids for a public office, the electorate no longer seeks whether the candidate is competent and qualified for the position. What would be the paramount question to be posed by the voters? As our neighbor Viewpoint loves to put it: "Your guess is as good as mine."

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SP UPDATES. The 9th Sangguniang Panlungsod, presided over by City Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol-Montes, passed on third and final reading last Wednesday the proposed ordinance authored by City Councilor Archie Sarmiento regulating the display of streamers, billboards, buntings and other forms of public announcements within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Tagbilaran.

The city lawmakers also passed separate resolution to welcome the Bishop Leo Medroso of the Diocese of Tagbilaran and to commend Rear Admiral Rogelio Calunsag of Loay, Bohol as the new Flag Officers in Command of the Philippine Navy.

This week, the city council will deliberate on the official stand of the city government on the planned implementation of the Bohol Lights Co. of an increase in power rates approved by the defunct Energy Regulatory Board in 2002 yet. In the meantime, the city government forestalled the implementation of a water rates increase by the Bohol Water Utilities, Inc. via a temporary restraining order in a petition filed by Atty. Doni D. Piquero, city legal officer.

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ADVISORY. Simply Aging Inc. headed by Chairman Emping Gulle will be holding its quarterly meeting and Christmas party today in a beach resort in Biking, Dauis.

Cong. Edgar Chatto, an honorary member of the group, has been invitd to grace the affair and to personally award the prizes to the winners of the recently concluded sports tournament at the K of C Recreation Center. Events played were bowling and billiards.

Larry Ahat bagged the championship crown in bowling by topping the final round.

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