Con-Con bill a time bomb for Arroyo’s PM ploy

Gloria Arroyo’s allies at the House of Representatives are hurriedly planting a time bomb to clear the way for Arroyo’s bid to be prime minister in October next year, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno warned today in view of the renewed push for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).

KMU however said that House Bill 6975, which calls for the election of Con-Con delegates, will naturally be defused as the entire nation braces for the 2010 elections, noting that discussions on constitutional changes a few months before the polls run contrary to people’s desire for an immediate regime change.

“The Con-Con time bomb which Arroyo allies are trying to set in place may render election results senseless, as it will pave the way for a parliamentary system wherein Arroyo becomes prime minister and the elected president becomes a mere symbolic leader. But the people will never let this happen,” said KMU executive vice president Joselito “Lito” Ustarez.

“An immediate replacement of the corrupt Arroyo regime is the kind of change workers and the people want today, not Arroyo’s Charter change (Cha-cha) via Con-Con or whatever scheme her allies may concoct and push,” Ustarez added.

Ustarez explained that the push for a Con-Con, which the bill proposes to be held on October 2010, coincides with Arroyo’s bid for a Congressional seat in her hometown. He said a shift to a parliamentary form of government can give way to Arroyo’s dream of becoming prime minister.

“By all indications, top administration bets are going to flop in the upcoming elections simply because the people do not want Arroyo’s brand of corrupt and inhumane leadership anymore. That is why the government is desperately pushing for Con-Con as a fallback plan to shield Arroyo from prosecution,” Ustarez said.

KMU also speculated on the motives of the congressmen who are behind the Con-Con move. “Perhaps the honorable congressmen are just trying to increase their campaign kitty. We ask them: Magkano na naman iyan? By how much are you being paid for sucking up to Gloria this late in her regime?” asked Ustarez.  

He said amending the Constitution after the elections via Con-Con is no different from pushing for constitutional amendments before the elections via Con-Ass, since both measures are essentially designed to extend Arroyo’s reign beyond 2010.

“Arroyo allies in Congress can never convince the people that Con-Con is a reliable and necessary means to amend the Constitution. How could it be if such effort is under the auspices of the current bankrupt regime?” asked Ustarez.

KMU said workers are poised to once again launch massive protests similar to those launched against Con-Ass if Congress pursues the approval of the Con-Con bill. #