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People’s initiative?

The claim of Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor that Malacañang has no hand in the simultaneous nationwide barangay consultations on Charter change and that it is rather the initiative of local officials is unbelievable and outrageous, as it is a desperate attempt to ensure that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues to stay in office even if the question of her legitimacy persists.

Presently, GMA continues to be isolated — opposition forces (locally and internationally) continue to grow as she pushes repressive policies against her so-called enemies of the state, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines remain fragile and divided — and the threat of being impeached is also forth coming as opposition congressmen are preparing another case which is deemed stronger than the 2004 complaint.

Furthermore, the plan for a Constituent Assembly to amend the Charter is deemed to fail as the Senate would not budge from its position to oppose GMA’s ChaCha. Even in the House of Representatives, the opposition has already amassed the needed number to block efforts to amend the Charter.

And with this scenario, GMA and her allies have no other course but to undertake a successful People’s Initiative for Charter change which is being undertaken by the Department of Interior and Local Government as seen in its March 10 Memorandum Circular 2006-25. They are doing everything to ensure that the needed number of signatures will be met, from using the distribution of PhilHealth cards to signature buying (P200 to P1,000 or half-cavan of rice).

Certainly, with these tactics and the money involved, it is unbelievable that the primary beneficiary is not involved. Will the DILG issue the memorandum without clearance from GMA? Will a DILG undersecretary “order” the payment of P200 per signature on his own discretion?

Lastly, it must be pointed out that Congress failed to pass an enabling law that will govern peoples’ initiative as a means of introducing change to the constitution. The people’s initiative then is an act of deception by GMA to confuse the people from the real issues against her administration. As such, the Filipino masses will be divided while she enjoys her position as the president. Hopefully, the people have learned from the 2004 elections and will not be used again for the interest of the ruling elite. #

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