Time to listen to the people

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It has become more obvious to critics of the government, particularly those who oppose any amendment of the Philippine Constitution, that manipulative efforts are being made to see to it that such change can take place.

It may not be literally within the realm of William Shakespeare's famous lines from Romeo and Juliet: "A rose by any other name will smell as sweet". The persistent efforts of those pushing for such changes, however, apparently make vigilant Filipinos believe that "Cha-cha", by any other name - Con Ass (which doesn't dwell well in popular semantics because of its stinking and reeking implication) and now, Con-Con - is part of a grand scheme and calculation to protect vested interests of the status quo. With the way things are, the Cha-cha has been perceived by critics as a political boogey of expected twists and turns leading to the same direction: perpetuation of power.

While we recognize that certain provisions of the Charter need amendment, the efforts to railroad and bulldoze processes are evidently last-ditch ones in imposing a will that is neither, popular nor collective, in the first place.

With the statement of the Department of Budget Management about the high cost of the proposed Con-con venture, the not-so-surprising stance of House Speaker Jose De Venecia and the pro-administration legislators further sends the political intention to plunge deeper in the plane of public perception.

It is unfortunate for the change proponents that their last-ditch campaign coincides with the commemoration of International Human Rights Day, an occasion which provides an enlightened citizenry with an appropriate avenue to assert their privileges, including political rights that ensure the protection of their liberty.

At this point, it will do well for our leaders to listen to the people's voice and those mandated to make wise and judicial decisions for the country, instead of attempting to circumvent processes to protect vested interests. Perhaps, at another time, when the people realize that motives are more noble, not personal, when intentions are more for collective, not vested pursuits, then they can support the move for the needed changes.*