KMU denounces Con-Con move for Arroyo’s Cha-Cha

Gloria Arroyo’s Charter change bid has just adopted “Con-Con” as a new name, but the real agenda remains the same, according to labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno.

House Committee on Constitutional Amendments approved yesterday a motion seeking to consolidate all bills calling for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), which can be seen as Arroyo’s fallback plan in pushing for Cha-Cha.

“Con-Ass or Con-Con, the regime’s agenda is still the same: sell-out of our national patrimony in exchange for political immunity,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer “Bong” Labog.

Labog said the Arroyo regime is trying to find other routes to change the 1987 Constitution “because the Con-Ass route is currently unpassable – blocked by the protests of the people.”

“Some people thought that congressmen will not push on with efforts to change the 1987 Constitution because former Pres. Cory Aquino, whose term saw the creation of the Constitution, has just died. But delicadeza is not a favorite concept of our congressmen – dole-out is,” said Labog.

“Congressmen may see the Con-Con route as less ‘controversial’ but in pushing for amending the economic provisions of the Constitution, it is no less sinister and no less harmful to the Filipino workers and people,” he added.

Labog explained that pushing for Con-Con even after elections can also be used for Arroyo’s term extension. “Arroyo will run for a congressional seat, and through Con-Con, and a shift to a parliamentary system of government, she can still become prime minister.”

Labog said workers and the people shall remain vigilant towards the Arroyo regime’s moves to insist Cha-Cha. “We know the regime is desperate. We cannot let our guard down.”