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Politics Failed Our Constitution |
by Jenina Joy Chavez, Julie delos Reyes, Herbert Docena, Aya Fabros, Mary Lou Malig, Mary Ann Manahan, Cathy Ordona, Qiqo Punzalan Simbol, Joseph Purugganan, Lourdes Torres and Walden Bello/ Focus on the Global South Philippines Team
24 June 2009
On June 2, 2009, the House of Representatives outdid ignoble acts of the past by ramming through House Resolution 1109, the Resolution that seeks to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly that will consider amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution. Aided by sheer numbers, the House majority not only successfully abbreviated the debate extremely crucial in such an important issue as tinkering with the basic law of the land, they also managed to strip the notorious resolution of dignity by voting viva voce.
What is it in the Constitution that politicians find so objectionable that barely a decade after it was promulgated, the administration of then-President Ramos launched a campaign to revise it, even funding a Supreme Court-rejected ‘people’s initiative’ campaign through the Pirma (People’s Initiative for Reforms, Modernization and Action)? The campaign to change (revise or amend) the Constitution persisted during Estrada’s short-lived stay in office, and has blossomed during Arroyo’s over-extended presidency.
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DEAR READERS,
This issue, Focus on the Philippines zooms in on key developments in Congress, specifically Cha-cha and CARPER, which Rep. Walden Bello calls “two of the most controversial pieces of legislation this decade.” On Charter Change and Congress, FOP June includes ‘Politics failed our Constitution’, the Focus on the Global South Philippines position on this recent move in the House and Charter Change, which also identifies progressive provisions in the constitution that should be preserved. In ‘Burn that House down and rise from the ashes,’ Aya Fabros writes about her reflections on the House and puts forward some propositions on where to take things in relation to Congress, in the short and long term.
The issue also covers reflections, analysis and commentary on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). Our new Congress rep, Walden Bello gives his own take on CARPER, in ‘CARPER: Latest episode in the battle for agrarian reform,’ as he explains his vote and relates some of his own experience in the House; while Mary Ann Manahan, Focus on the Global South Commons and Agrarian Reform lead person, presents her own analysis from the point of view of an advocate in the frontlines.
Finally, reflecting on both the personal and the political, Progressive Lawyer Arlene Bag-ao, counsel of the Sumilao farmers and close friend of slain peasant leader Rene Penas, also shares with us a very moving piece on Ka Rene and their shared struggle to achieve agrarian justice.
CONTENTS:
1. Politics failed our constitution/ FOCUS ON THE GLOBAL SOUTH-PHILIPPINES PROGRAMME
a. A Constitution Worth Defending (Matrix)
2. Burn that House down and rise from the ashes/ AYA FABROS
3. CARPER: Latest episode in the battle for agrarian reform/ WALDEN BELLO
4. CARPER and the Continuing Struggle for Land/ Mary Ann Manahan
5. Rene Penas: Agrarian Reform Advocate, Peasant Leader, Paralegal/ ARLENE BAG-AO
6. FOCUS MONITOR: Viva Voce and the Ignoble Roll: List of Representatives who voted for HB 1109
7. FOCUS STATEMENT ON KA RENE
8. Links:
a. HR 1109
b. PCIJ Matrix
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CARPER and the Continuing Struggle for Land |
by Mary Ann Manahan*
The murder of farmer-activist Renato Peñas created shock waves of outrage in the whole advocacy community. Demands for justice and commitment to continue his legacy were discussed all over—from print and broadcast media to the Philippine blogosphere. Ka Rene, as he was fondly called, was a charismatic leader at the forefront of the 1,700 kilometer-march of Sumilao farmers to Malacanang. He earned the respect and admiration of his peers because of his unparalleled passion and steadfastness in upholding the rights of landless farmers and farmworkers in the country.
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